Hani Hanjour prepared meticulously for 9/11 attacks

In the lead-up to the September 11 attacks, Hani Hanjour, a Saudi national, took significant steps to prepare for his role as a pilot. He arrived in the United States in October 1991, initially enrolling in an English language school in Tucson. After returning to Saudi Arabia, he attempted to secure a job with a commercial airline but was unsuccessful. This led him to travel to Afghanistan in late 1999, where he joined al-Qaeda. His skills as a pilot were recognized, and he was selected to participate in the 9/11 operation alongside three other pilots. Hanjour's flight training included simulator sessions and check rides, which he undertook in various locations across the United States. By August 10, 2001, he was well-acquainted with the airspace around Washington, D.C., having taken multiple flights in the area. This preparation culminated in his piloting of American Airlines Flight 77, which he flew at high speed and low altitude, striking the Pentagon at a challenging angle. Despite his impressive flying skills demonstrated during the attack, post-9/11 narratives often depicted him as a poor pilot who struggled in training.