Betty Ong was the cabin crew member aboard American Airlines flight 11, flying from Boston Logan International Airport to Los Angeles. Then, 45-year-old flight attendant, Betty Ong chose to be assigned to flight 11 with the intent to return to Los Angeles so she could go on her vacation to Hawaii with her sister after the flight. This supposed to be an ordinary flight ended in a tragedy last September 11, 2001, that changed the world forever.
Betty’s flight with the first two hijacked aircraft slammed into the World Trade Center. Her bravery during those last moments by making a phone call aboard the aircraft to American Airlines ground control in the face of hijackers saved more passengers and crew that day. She told the ground crew and emergency team what was going on onboard the aircraft that fateful day.
The courageous call
Betty Ong’s courageous call enabled air traffic controllers to land every plane flying over U.S. airspace, avoiding any further potential similar incidents, according to South China Morning Post. Ong’s unbelievable story of bravery, which ended not only with her death but also a national tragedy, began 18 years ago, on the morning of September 11.
With 81 passengers, nine crew members, and two pilots on board, the flight took off from Boston’s Logan Airport intended for Los Angeles, California.
Five terrorists, including Mohammed Atta, were sitting in Business Class. Just minutes after the plane went airborne, Atta was able to forcibly take control of the aircraft and flew it straight into the World Trade Center in New York.
Betty Ong hailed a hero
Betty Ong was not only a victim but also recognized as the first hero of the unforgettable terrorist attacks would later claim almost 3,000 lives in New York and Washington, D.C.
During the chaotic hijacking, Ong was able to use a telephone card to call American Airlines’ operations and Raleigh reservations center from the plane’s rear galley.
After identifying herself and alerting the supervisor that the aircraft had been hijacked, Ong provided a detailed account of what was happening. She told the ground control team that there were possibly four Middle Eastern hijackers on board.
Providing vital details
She also reported that neither the crew could contact the cockpit nor open its door. She disclosed that a passenger, Daniel M. Lewin, and two flight attendants had been stabbed. Betty also revealed that someone might have sprayed Mace in the business class cabin.
After correctly and calmly identifying the seats where the terrorists were initially seated, the FBI determined the hijackers’ passport information.
Minutes after Ong’s call, she noticed how the plane’s flight became erratic, realizing that the terrorists had finally taken control of the airplane.
Bravery and courage
Betty’s bravery and heroic acts saved more lives, but the information she provided will prove vital in investigating the 9/11 tragedy.
Flight attendants have to be brave in the face of danger. They have to know how to remain calm to make quick decisions to save the lives of others. We can never question their bravery and courage, especially during such situations.
Betty Ong will never be forgotten and shall remain a hero in everyone’s heart.
Below is Betty Ong’s last phone call that saved more lives
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
