MARCH 12, ‘25 // “I’m on the frequency,” the supervisor’s voice was heard over the radio. “Make a fifty degree turn to the right. I’ll be guiding you to National Airport, just across the Potomac River from downtown Washington.” Yechezkel obeyed the supervisor’s directions and turned the wheel fifty degrees to the right. “Guard the door,” he yelled to his brother. “The other two hijackers might push their way in here the minute they realize that I’m planning to land the plane.” Yosef released his safety belt and left the co-pilot’s seat, while Yechezkel continued to guide the plane. National Airport appeared ahead of him. Yechezkel’s heart was pounding. He wasn’t sure if he knew how to land such a gigantic plane. While studying at the Hoffman Aviation School in South Carolina, he had not paid too much attention to learning how to land a plane, since that detail was not important for the mission. “Runway number seven is ready,” the supervisor informed him. “You’re heading straight toward it.” In the distance, Yechezkel could see the flashing lights of emergency vehicles. “I don’t know how to land a Recap: The hijackers realize that they are brothers and redirect the plane, away from the White House. They ensure immunity from the US government prior to landing. CHAPTER 16 plane,” Yechezkel admitted to the supervisor. There was a short silence. “You’ve never landed an aircraft?” the supervisor asked in a strained voice. “Nothing this big. I’ve flown small aircraft, single engine and multiengine planes, and I’ve practiced turns in the 767 simulator…” His voice trailed off. Yechezkel could recall the surprise of his instructor that he only wanted to practice turns in the simulator—most students practiced takeoffs and landings. The supervisor sounded dubious. “There’s a big difference, although some experience is better than nothing. What about the pilots? Maybe they can land the plane for you.” “They’re in the passenger section. The other hijackers are guarding them. If I leave the cockpit, they’ll make sure that no one will land the plane.” “I see,” the supervisor responded, though he wasn’t sure if he fully understood. Apparently there was some sort of disagreement among the hijackers. “Circle the airport for a few minutes while I find an experienced pilot to guide you.” Yechezkel pulled the navigation stick to the right and started circling the airport. Beneath him he saw hundreds of grounded planes filling the runways, sparkling in the sun. 184
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