A MERIT MARK We did better this time.
I'm speaking of events of October 11th - just a five years and a month date after the Sept. 11th, 2001.
Many have been awaiting another such trial and all have, at the same time, been wondering how we would respond. I think we did very well and deserve a bit of cautious recognition.
This, while was not of the large proportion as the original attack, it was a shock just the same. More individuals that we could get them to admit have such fears, actually has some thoughts of another attack. Yet, I saw no evidence panic in any of the scenes I happened to see. There was nervous excitement, of course, for Americans who, are more interest in follow-up by nature. A sudden noise and he wants to know right away what caused it. This time, the city dwellers seemed to move out of their buildings to see what had happened. There seem to be less personal concern in their movements and they showed little fear for themselves in their movements. It is remarkable that none of the debris falling from the burning area fifty-one stories
above.
As it appeared to some officials, it seems, that a plane had hit the building. That quickly changed to a helicopter, due largely to the fact that there is a busy heliport just blocks away at the end of the bridge which runs a pretty active schedule hauling business executives from one point to another. For a short-time it was suggested it could have been larger, multi-engined craft but officially said to be a light, four-place craft owned and piloted by a well-known sports figure. The in-flight incident is thought to have occurred the building, occurred at the point where air traffic is required to turn around to avoid traffic patterns from La Guardia Field and pilot, a well-known New York Yankee's baseball team pitcher Gary Lidle lost control of the plane, which appeared to have stalled in mid-air due to insufficient forward motion and crashed into the side of the huge multi-purpose building. The immediate fire burned apartments until water was applied from inside the building.
On the whole, traffic was well controlled. NORAD was alert this time
to scramble fight jets above major cities and other home defense rules and regulations were tried for the first time. I heard New Yorkers wondering how is that air space above Manhattan is not more restricted. Anyone who wishes to so, can fly up the East River with limited formalities. Among such requirements is one which asks if you can turn your aircraft around to head back down river.
No doubt, many points have turned up in individual experiences in this latest scare in New York City. We should make every effort to learn such guidelines to safety.
Andrew McCaskey amccsr@adelphia.net 10-11-06 [c494wds]
