Fact Check: "No plane hit the Pentagon"
What We Know
The claim that "no plane hit the Pentagon" has circulated in various forms since the events of September 11, 2001. This assertion gained traction particularly through the misinterpretation of a CNN report by correspondent Jamie McIntyre, which was deceptively edited to suggest that no airplane debris was found at the site. In reality, McIntyre stated that he saw small pieces of airplane debris at the Pentagon, specifically mentioning parts of the aircraft that crashed into the building (AP News).
Eyewitness accounts further corroborate the occurrence of the crash. For instance, Sean Boger, who was in the control tower for the Pentagon's helipad, described seeing the plane approach just moments before impact, noting its low altitude and speed (CBS News). Additionally, there are numerous photographs of debris from American Airlines Flight 77, which crashed into the Pentagon, and these images have been released by the FBI (AP News).
Analysis
The claim that no plane hit the Pentagon is fundamentally based on a misrepresentation of evidence. The edited CNN footage omits critical context, leading viewers to misunderstand McIntyre's statements. In the full version of the report, McIntyre clearly states, "I can see parts of the airplane that crashed into the building" (AP News). This editing tactic is a common method used by conspiracy theorists to distort facts and create misleading narratives.
Moreover, the reliability of eyewitness accounts is significant in this case. Multiple witnesses, including military personnel and civilians, have provided consistent testimonies about the plane's approach and the subsequent impact. For example, Sheila Moody, who was in the path of the plane, described the sound of the impact as "like an explosion" and recounted her harrowing experience during the attack (CBS News). The convergence of these accounts strengthens the credibility of the evidence supporting the fact that a plane did indeed hit the Pentagon.
In contrast, sources promoting the idea that no plane hit the Pentagon often lack credible evidence and rely on anecdotal claims or manipulated footage. The use of security footage from the Pentagon has also been misrepresented in various conspiracy theories, yet it clearly shows the impact of American Airlines Flight 77 (AFP Fact Check).
Conclusion
The claim that "no plane hit the Pentagon" is False. The assertion is based on deceptive editing of credible news footage and ignores the overwhelming evidence provided by eyewitness accounts and photographic documentation of the crash. The combination of reliable sources and firsthand testimonies confirms that American Airlines Flight 77 did crash into the Pentagon, resulting in significant loss of life and destruction.
