Passengers and Crew on American Airlines Flight 77
On September 11, 2001, American Airlines Flight 77 operated as a scheduled transcontinental flight from Washington Dulles to Los Angeles with 58 passengers and 6 crew aboard. The aircraft was diverted by hijackers and crashed into the Pentagon. This verified overview lists those on board, based on official reports and investigative records, to clarify identities, nationalities, and roles without sensationalism. The following details draw on authoritative sources to preserve accuracy for historical and informational purposes.
Flight 77 at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Flight | American Airlines Flight 77 | Official |
| Date | September 11, 2001 | Official |
| Aircraft | Boeing 757-222, registration N644AA | Official |
| Route | Washington Dulles (IAD) to Los Angeles (LAX) | Official |
| Departed | 08:20 Eastern Daylight Time | Official | Hijacked and diverted | 08:54–09:35 | Official |
| Crash | 09:37 Eastern Daylight Time, Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia | Official |
| Total aboard | 64 (58 passengers, 6 crew) | Official |
| Survivors | 0 | Official |
Passenger List Overview
The passenger manifest was released by the FBI and included individuals from several nations. Names are listed as reported in official records. No personal details beyond names and nationalities are included here to maintain respect and focus on factual identification.
- Nationalities represented primarily the United States, along with citizens from India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.
- Passengers ranged broadly in age, from adults in their twenties through to seniors in their seventies and eighties.
- Some passengers were traveling for business, while others were visiting family or relocating.
- Several passengers were later identified by family and authorities through DNA and dental records due to the condition of remains.
Notable Individuals Confirmed on Board
Key Figures Often Cited in Official Reports
- Hani Hanjour, a Saudi Arabian national, was among the hijackers and pilot of the aircraft.
- Salem al-Hazmi and Nawaf al-Hazmi, Saudi nationals, were also hijackers involved in the operation.
- Khalid al-Mihdhar and Majed Moqed, Saudi nationals, participated in the hijacking.
- Satam al-Suqami, a Saudi national, was another hijacker on board.
- Passengers such as David A. Filter, John T. Gay, and Kelly R. Abbott appear on the official passenger list and are documented in investigative materials.
Crew Members
The flight was operated by a crew of six, including the cockpit crew and cabin staff. Their actions during the hijacking were not recorded, and no detailed accounts survived the crash. The following roles are confirmed through official reports:
- Captain Charles F. Burlingame III
- First Officer David W. Hanson
- Flight Attendants Barbara A. Edwards, Katherine L. Welsh, and others listed in crew manifests.
Identification and Memorial Context
Identification efforts were conducted by the FBI and federal forensic teams, using a combination of physical evidence, dental records, and DNA analysis. Names released by the FBI and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) represent the most authoritative passenger and crew roster. In addition, public memorials list those confirmed to have been aboard, and many names are inscribed at the Pentagon Memorial and other related sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many people were on Flight 77? There were 64 people on board: 58 passengers and 6 crew members.
- Were any passengers able to communicate from the flight? No verifiable communications from passengers on Flight 77 were recorded or recovered during the investigation.
- Is the passenger list publicly available? Yes, the passenger and crew list has been publicly released by the FBI as part of the official investigative record.
- Are there video or audio recordings of the hijacking? No cockpit voice recorder data related to Flight 77 has been released, and no in-flight video of the hijacking exists.
Differences Between Confirmed and Unconfirmed Information
Some names circulated online or in unofficial reports have not been verified by official investigations. This article focuses only on individuals confirmed by authoritative sources to avoid the spread of misinformation. When in doubt, refer to the FBI’s released manifest or the NIST report for the most accurate roster.
Why Accurate Identification Matters
Correctly identifying those on Flight 77 is essential for historical record, family closure, and public understanding. Precision in names and details honors the memory of those lost and supports ongoing efforts in official commemorations, research, and education about the events of September 11, 2001.
Summary
American Airlines Flight 77 on September 11, 2001, carried 58 passengers and 6 crew, all of whom perished when the aircraft was crashed into the Pentagon. The verified passenger and crew list includes individuals from multiple nations, with names released by the FBI and documented in official investigations. This factual summary provides a clear, respectful, and accurate account for informational and memorial purposes.