On September 11, 2001, a passenger revolt against hijackers aboard United Flight 93 led to the heroic actions of Tom Burnett, saving countless lives. Tom Burnett, a history enthusiast with a sense of impending doom, boarded United Airlines Flight 93 after expressing concerns to his wife.
The hijacking occurred 46 minutes after takeoff when four armed al-Qaeda terrorists diverted the plane to Washington, D.C. Upon hearing about the attacks on the World Trade Center, passengers, including Tom Burnett, decided to take action to regain control of the aircraft. Their efforts resulted in the crash of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at 10:03 a.m., with all on board perishing.
The Life Of Tom Burnett
Born on May 29, 1963, in Bloomington, Minnesota, Tom Burnett grew up in a loving family and excelled in academics and sports. He became a high school football star and earned a scholarship to play at Saint John’s University. Following an injury, he shifted his focus to business, earning a finance degree from the University of Minnesota.
In 1992, Tom married Deena Bailey, and they started a family in San Ramon, California, with three daughters. Tom was a man of faith and took his role as a citizen seriously. He had aspirations of running for office after retiring and enjoyed sharing his interests with his nephew, Devin O’Brien.
The Hijacking Of United Airlines Flight 93
Tom Burnett excelled in his career, holding senior positions at the medical devices company Thoratec. On September 11, 2001, he was flying home after a business trip, boarding United Airlines Flight 93 at Newark International Airport. Unaware of the World Trade Center attacks, he called his wife to inform her of the hijacking.
During subsequent calls, Tom updated his wife on the events unfolding on the plane. He learned about the crashes of American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 and realized their plane was part of a coordinated attack. Despite the danger, Tom and other passengers decided to storm the cockpit.
In his final call, Tom assured his wife that he and the other passengers were going to stop the hijackers. Their revolt began at 9:57 a.m., but tragically, the plane crashed into a field in Shanksville at 10:03 a.m., killing all 44 on board.
The Legacy Of Thomas Burnett
Tom Burnett’s heroism and sacrifice left a lasting legacy. His high school, Thomas Jefferson High School, honored him by wearing his jersey number, and a street near his company was renamed in his honor. Memorials, including the Tom Burnett 9/11 Memorial at the Mall of America in Bloomington, commemorate his courage and resilience.
It is important to recognize the heroism and acts of humanity displayed by Tom Burnett and the other passengers of Flight 93. Through their courageous actions, they showed the best of humanity in the face of unimaginable circumstances.