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In particular, some pilots reported seeing smoke rising from the World Trade Center, raising alarms among air traffic control. Eyewitness reports from pilots indicated that the situation was dire, and the realization of the impact began to sink in.
Distribution of Information
Communication channels between controllers were crucial in disseminating information amongst flights. In one instance, a pilot confirmed seeing an aircraft flying dangerously close to the Trade Center area. These observations were integral as they provided real-time data for controllers who needed to make sense of the rapidly evolving situation.