A hijacker and pilot involved in the 9/11 attacks, responsible for crashing American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon.
Hani Hanjour is infamous for his role as the hijacker-pilot of American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, resulting in the loss of 189 lives. This Saudi Arabian terrorist played a pivotal role in the 9/11 attacks, making him one of the most notorious figures in modern history.
Hanjour was born on August 30, 1972, in Saudi Arabia. He first traveled to the United States in 1991, enrolling at the University of Arizona to study English. However, he only stayed for a few months before returning to Saudi Arabia. In 1996, he returned to the US, this time to study English in California.
In the late 1990s, Hanjour began taking flying lessons in Florida and Arizona. He received his commercial pilot certificate in 1999, but his dream of becoming a commercial pilot was short-lived. He was rejected by civil aviation school in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and subsequently left his family to find work in the United Arab Emirates.
In Afghanistan, Hanjour met with Osama bin Laden or Mohammed Atef, who identified him as a trained pilot and selected him to participate in the 9/11 attacks. Hanjour's skills as a pilot made him an ideal candidate for the mission.
Hanjour returned to the United States in December 2000, joining Nawaf al-Hazmi in San Diego. They moved to Arizona, where Hanjour engaged in refresher pilot training. In April 2001, they relocated to Falls Church, Virginia, and later to Paterson, New Jersey, where Hanjour took additional flight training.
On September 11, 2001, Hanjour boarded American Airlines Flight 77, where he and his team of hijackers took control of the aircraft. He flew the plane into the Pentagon, killing all 64 passengers on board and 125 people in the building.
Hani Hanjour's actions on 9/11 had a profound impact on global politics, international relations, and national security. His involvement in the attacks led to a significant shift in the global war on terror and had far-reaching consequences for the Middle East and beyond.
Hani Hanjour's life was marked by a radical transformation from a young man seeking to become a commercial pilot to a terrorist responsible for one of the deadliest attacks in history. His legacy serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of extremism and the importance of vigilance in the face of global terrorism.
69 Years Old
Founder of the notorious terrorist organization responsible for the 9/11 attacks and other devastating acts of global terrorism. Known for spreading extremist ideologies and inciting violence worldwide.
57 Years Old
Lead hijacker of the September 11 attacks, responsible for crashing American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, killing thousands.
51 Years Old
One of the hijackers responsible for crashing United Airlines Flight 93 into a Pennsylvania field on 9/11, killing all on board. He was a key player in the deadliest terrorist attack in modern history.
