“I will land, no matter what.” What happened on board the Uzbekistan plane that was unable to enter the US due to the September 11 terrorist attacks?

"I will land, no matter what." What happened on board the Uzbekistan plane that was unable to enter the US due to the September 11 terrorist attacks?

25 years ago — on September 11, 2001 — the largest terrorist attack in world history took place. Al-Qaeda militants hijacked four passenger planes in the US. Two of them crashed into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the third hit the Pentagon building, and the fourth crashed in a field before reaching Washington. As a result of those terrorist attacks, 2,977 people died, of whom 2,606 were victims of the attack on the twin towers.

After the attacks, US airspace was closed to civil aviation, and hundreds of planes heading towards the country were diverted to other airports.

Among them was Uzbekistan Airways Flight 101, flying from Tashkent to New York.

The Boeing 757 aircraft, with about 200 passengers and crew members on board, was diverted to Goose Bay Airport in Canada. This military airfield, belonging to the Canadian Armed Forces, received dozens of planes after US airspace was closed on September 11.

Flight 101 commander Zarif Saidazimov spoke with passengers Gulnora Musayeva and Gulshoda Abdiyeva, asking for their memories of the events of a quarter-century ago, the situation on the plane, and the landing process in Canada.

I was 45 years old at the time of the event on September 11, 2001. I entered the aviation field in 1976, and had been flying the New York route since 1996. At that time, I was flying the Boeing 757 and was a pilot-instructor.

The flight was on the Tashkent – Birmingham – New York route. We flew from Tashkent to Birmingham, refueled the plane there, and as we were boarding for New York, a woman from Fergana suddenly collapsed and died near the boarding stairs. Doctors were called immediately. When I asked later, it turned out the woman didn't even have luggage, only a small handbag. And we were forced to leave her there and fly so as not to delay the flight. The plane was designed for 184 people, and there were 180 passengers on that day's flight.

While the plane was flying over the Atlantic Ocean, everything was as usual. There were many planes in the sky from various countries flying to America and Canada. Pilots could hear each other through a special frequency. Just then, from the conversation of American pilots, we heard that a plane had crashed in New York. At first, we wondered, "how can a plane crash?" Then they mentioned another plane hitting the Pentagon, the attack on the trade center, and events involving other planes. After that, it became known that American airspace was closed.

Our alternate airport for New York was Boston.

But Boston, like other airports, was overcrowded with planes, and we were not allowed to enter their airspace. So, looking for a closer airport on the map, we found the Goose Bay military airbase in Canada and headed in that direction.

As we approached Goose Bay, the weather was also not good. There were clouds, lightning, and other unfavorable conditions in this area. During the descent, we had to bypass lightning and clouds.

Fuel was also running low.

The engines had not failed, but to save fuel, we operated the engines at low thrust; I turned one off for a short time and then turned it back on. We landed the plane with both engines running. Landing at the airport was also not easy. In such a situation, it was very difficult for the dispatchers as well. Finally, we established contact and received permission to land. As we approached the airport and were landing, they told us to close the window shades on the plane and that no one should open them.

After landing at the airfield, we sat inside the plane with the passengers for about 7 hours.

I told the flight attendants to distribute all the remaining food and tried to calm the passengers. I told them that JFK (John F. Kennedy) Airport was closed for technical reasons, and if it opened, we would continue our flight to New York. It was necessary to prevent panic. Meanwhile, I called our embassy in Washington. Introducing myself as the commander of Flight 101, I reported that all passengers were safe and sound and that we had landed at Goose Bay Airport. They conveyed this information to Uzbekistan.

Later, local authority representatives arrived and said that all planes would remain here. They took the passenger list from us and disembarked them from the plane. The planes were locked, and the passengers took their hand luggage and entered the airport building. We were accommodated in military barracks; they gave us food, phones, TVs, necessary hygiene products, and even slippers. Everyone spoke with their relatives over the phones.

After the passengers watched the events in New York repeatedly on television, they realized the true scale of the incident.

Despite this, many wanted to reach New York as quickly as possible. Some passengers asked for a way to leave, saying "my child is waiting for me there," "I have urgent business in another city." And I explained to them that neither taxis, buses, nor trains run from here, and that Goose Bay is located in a very remote and isolated area.

I barely slept for two days back then. On the third day, it was decided to take the passengers back to Birmingham, and from there to Tashkent. I gathered the passengers and explained the situation to them.

"We will fly to Birmingham, and then to Tashkent," I said.

They asked what would happen to their tickets. And I said that after the flights opened, they could use their tickets or get their money back.

Then, a woman among the passengers, who said she had worked at Uzbekistan Airways for 15 years, started spreading rumors saying "they won't refund your tickets." I called the Director General of Uzbekistan Airways and asked him to give an official guarantee to the passengers. A guarantee was prepared stating that they could use the flight at any time or get their money back. I had it printed in English, Russian, and Uzbek, and distributed it to every passenger.

Photo: Cinematography Agency.

The commander's duty is not limited only to piloting the aircraft. He is also responsible for passengers, baggage, and many other matters. In such a situation, the commander simultaneously plays the role of both consul and ambassador.

After that, we prepared the plane for flight, refueled, and conducted a technical inspection. I spoke with each passenger individually and got their consent to return. We flew to Birmingham at night.

As we were crossing the Atlantic Ocean, there was not a single plane in the sky.

Only we were flying. In the morning, we landed in Birmingham. There, too, the airport was barely operating, and planes were not flying.

Another crew that was in London was brought to the plane I commanded. My flight time and energy were not enough to reach Tashkent from Birmingham. I handed the plane over to them. I stayed in London with my crew members. In the hotel, I analyzed all my actions and words during those three days, one by one.

Then I became convinced that I had made all my decisions correctly.

Two days later, we flew to Tashkent on a regular flight. When I returned to Uzbekistan, they did not welcome me with a special ceremony. I left the airport, stopped a taxi, and went home (laughs). In 2001, the event related to us did not cause a big sensation. Years later, we were recognized. In 2007, I was awarded the title of Hero of Uzbekistan.

With the first president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov.

At the end of October 2001, I flew to New York again and went to the place where the event occurred — the area where the trade centers were destroyed.

Smoke was still rising from there. I bought flowers and placed them at that spot. I was deeply affected by the death of innocent people.

As for the question of whether there was fear during the flight on September 11, if a pilot is afraid, it is difficult to control the plane. In such a situation, composure is needed.

You must use your knowledge and think of a way out of the situation. A frightened person's knowledge and thoughts get confused. And I have acted relying on my knowledge in various tense situations until now. There was no other option left when landing at Goose Bay.

I was confident, thinking "I will land, no matter what."

There was a rare type of ILS system there called Backcourse. I knew this system well and had even taught it to other pilots. This knowledge came in handy during the landing.

Flight 101 left a deep mark in my heart, one that can never be erased. It was not an ordinary flight. When I remember that event, danger and responsibility come to my mind first. Being a pilot is not an easy profession. People might think, "he turns on the autopilot, sits and drinks tea." In reality, it is not like that. I flew in the sky for 45 years, logging 26,000 flight hours. This profession requires strong health, deep knowledge, and the ability to keep one's composure in any situation.

The commander simultaneously performs the roles of psychologist, doctor, and many other duties.

Before each flight, the pilot must feel that the lives of the 200–250 people sitting behind him are in his hands.

Later, while walking on the streets of New York, a woman recognized me, ran up, and hugged me. "You were my commander, do you remember, at Goose Bay Airport?" she said. She took a picture with me and thanked me for helping her. I still remember how at airports, one or two Uzbek passengers recognized me and said, "this is our commander."

After that event, I continued my piloting career. I carried out many flights, trained pilots, including teaching how to fly Boeing aircraft in Korea, and contributed to raising many students.

In 2020, when the pandemic started, I had returned on a flight from Moscow. They put us in quarantine along with the crew. At that time, I was approaching 65, and the issue of retirement was raised. I wrote an application and retired.

Even after that, I did not lose touch with aviation.

Boeing aircraft pilots must undergo simulator checks every three or six months. I worked as an instructor on the simulator, training new pilots. After I turned 70, I stopped my activity, thinking "now I will live for myself."

Now I spend time with my grandchildren. Both of my daughters worked as flight attendants for a while. They flew for about two or three years, then left the profession for family reasons. My son also works in the aviation field — he is the chief representative of the airline in Turkey.

Flight 101 will never be just an ordinary flight for me.

For me, the greatest reward is bringing 180 passengers to a safe place, returning them safely to Birmingham, and having them trust my words and follow me in a difficult situation. Especially, landing for the first time at an unfamiliar airport using a different system and ensuring the safety of so many people — that in itself is a great reward for me!

Gulnora Musayeva, former artist of the "Bahor" State Uzbek Folk Dance Ensemble, director of the Tamara Khanum House-Museum

In 2001, I was managing my own "Guli-Bonu" production center and was the producer of the "Anor" vocal group. I was engaged in organizing cultural events in our country and abroad. We cooperated with the embassies of Uzbekistan in Germany, the US, France, and India.

In September, the "Anor" group, consisting of four performers, was invited by the embassy in the US to participate in an event dedicated to the Independence Day of Uzbekistan. We were responsible for the cultural program.

The festive event was to be held on September 13 in Washington. Our delegation was quite large.

A representative of the Cabinet of Ministers, two employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dutar player Abbos Qosimov, and dancer Gulshoda Abdiyeva also flew with us.

Gulnora Musayeva.

Initially, I planned to fly to the US on September 9, two days before the others. Together with my partners in New York, we were preparing a cultural project. Their office was located on the 78th floor of one of the World Trade Center towers. During my trips, I went there often, sometimes spending the whole day there.

A few days before my departure, the embassy called and asked me to change my plans. I was offered two options: fly on September 9 and arrange accommodation for a few days myself, or depart on September 11 together with the delegation. It was difficult to accommodate the entire delegation at my own expense. Therefore, the artists' air tickets were changed. At first, I still thought of flying alone on September 9 and staying with my partners in New York. But I decided to go together with everyone.

On September 11, we flew from Tashkent to New York. In those years, planes could not cover this route directly, so our flight made a technical landing in England to refuel along the way. During the stop, one of the passengers had a heart attack. I remember this event well. The transit area was small. I helped the woman lie down on a bench and gave her some of my medicine that I always carry with me. Then medical help was called, and the doctors took her away. Our flight was delayed by about an hour. When the remaining passengers returned to the plane, it became known that the woman had died. Thus, our flight began with a tragedy. Later, I thought a lot about this delay. If we had flown on time, we might have been much closer to New York when the airspace was closed. How events would have unfolded then — no one knows.

Gulnora Musayeva with the "Anor" group and Gulshoda Abdiyeva. At Goose Bay airfield in Canada. / Photo: Personal archive.

We continued the flight. As I remember, about 40 minutes before reaching New York, the flight attendants announced that due to weather conditions, the plane could not land at the designated airport. The plane was diverted to Goose Bay Airport in Canada. They did not tell us the real reason for the route change. Perhaps they did not tell the real reason so as not to cause panic on board the plane.

After the plane landed at Goose Bay Airport, a young man who had been sleeping in the row behind us woke up. Thinking we had already arrived in the US, he called his mother: "Mom, I've arrived." Suddenly I heard his voice change:

"What? How? War? Twin towers?"

From the young man's words, everyone suddenly looked at him. One of the flight attendants went up to him and asked him to come with her.

When he returned, he said his mother was supposedly watching a movie and had misunderstood his words. And his phone was taken away from him. After landing, we remained inside the plane for about eight hours. US airspace was closed, and many flights were being diverted to Canada. Several more planes landed next to us, among them Russian and British planes. And armed military personnel stood around our plane.

By this time, the food on the plane had run out, and there was almost no water left. They tried to give water, first of all, to children and elderly passengers. I used to go abroad often with my artist companions. Therefore, my acquaintances would send various foodstuffs through me — bread, qazi, qurt — to give to their relatives. This time was no exception.

I took all the products from my suitcase, gave them to the flight attendants, and said: "Slice and distribute everything. First of all, of course, feed the pilots — if we continue the flight, they shouldn't be hungry. Distribute the rest to the passengers."

Thus, they distributed the food we brought among all the people on the plane. On that flight, business class was almost empty. Since Gulshoda was pregnant, I asked the flight attendants for permission to move her to business class. They agreed to do so so that she could lie down and rest a bit after the long flight.

Finally, when we were allowed to disembark from the plane, we were told we could take only documents, money, and other valuables with us. Bags and all other luggage had to remain on the plane. Before entering the military base territory, we were thoroughly searched. I remember we even went through some kind of disinfection process. Soldiers holding weapons stood around. All of this seemed very strange and worrying. We still did not clearly understand what had happened.

Representatives of the Bukharian Jewish diaspora — Americans who previously lived in Uzbekistan — had also flown with us on the plane. When we entered the large lounge, they were already sitting in front of the TV. They called me and said: "Gulnora, come here, see what happened."

The TV screen was showing a plane crashing into one of the twin towers and entering the building. At first, I thought these clips were from a movie.

It did not fit in my mind that such an event could actually happen. And when they told me that this event happened exactly today, I experienced a severe shock.

Looking at the screen, I thought about the places I had visited a few months ago, my acquaintances there, the office located on the 78th floor, and the video showing us standing by the window looking at the city. Later, I learned that the plane hit the tower near the height of the floors where they worked. The person who accompanied us on that trip and some of my other partners died in the terrorist attack.

The burning twin towers. On the left — the South Tower, on the right — the North Tower. Photo: Thomas Nilsson / Getty Images.

After the news spread, people started calling their relatives. My mother was still alive at that time. Like the relatives of other passengers, she watched the events on TV and was extremely worried. At the base, they gave us free use of phones. We could talk as much as we wanted and tell our relatives that we were all safe and sound.

Why we remained on the plane for so long became known later.

The military was preparing temporary accommodation for us.

We were accommodated in pairs. These were not hotel rooms, but the conditions were quite comfortable: the rooms had beds, a toilet, and a shower, and we were also given bedding, a toothbrush, and other necessary things. They organized full meals three times a day.

I remember the military constantly walking around the territory. I even asked them: "Why don't you sleep at all?" And later I understood that we had occupied their rooms, so they had no place left to rest themselves.

We stayed at the base for two nights and three days. They also allowed us to go outside. The photos I preserved show our guys playing billiards with the military, sitting and talking in a small bar. Shortly after our arrival, they gathered us all in the dining hall and organized a meeting with the city mayor.

He asked if anyone wanted to ask for political asylum and stay in Canada. None of the citizens of Uzbekistan expressed such a desire.

Returning home was important for me too — I never imagined myself as a person living in another country.

Journalists also came among us and asked questions about Uzbekistan and where we were going. I gave an interview to a local radio station. I spoke about our country, the "Anor" group, and that we had set out to celebrate Independence Day. After the interview, I suggested playing the song "Vatan" (Motherland). It was written by the group's soloist, Karen Gafurjanov. The song was indeed broadcast on Canadian radio.

Gulnora Musayeva with the "Anor" group and Gulshoda Abdiyeva. At Goose Bay airfield in Canada. / Photo: Personal archive.

The next day, we were taken to the local cultural center. There, sailors performed for the passengers — they had their own amateur group. Then someone suggested that the Uzbek artists should also perform. The "Anor" group performed several songs, and Gulshoda danced. I think at that time, music helped people distract themselves at least a little from heavy thoughts and feel that they were not alone.

We returned to Uzbekistan from Canada. Since the trip did not take place, they refunded our air ticket money. The event scheduled to be held in Washington on September 13 was also, naturally, canceled. After returning to Uzbekistan, I felt, perhaps, like any person who has experienced such a tragedy. It was hard and painful to realize how many people had died.

On the outside, my life did not change, but the sadness remained inside me.

Such events do not pass without a trace, even if you were not directly at the scene of the tragedy.

In November of that year, I had to go to New York again to participate in an event organized by my company. This time I went alone, because I was afraid to take the group with me. The World Trade Center area was fenced off. Behind the fence, work was still going on, and not all the debris had been cleared. I found a small gap and took a picture of the remaining scene. Even in November, dust was still rising from there. It was a very scary sight.

The parents of an Uzbek girl who died in one of the twin towers during the September 11 terrorist attack also flew with me.

This was their first trip to the US after their daughter's death. The father said he had spoken with his daughter on the phone on the morning of September 11. At that time, it was evening in Tashkent, and the day was just beginning in New York. He said his daughter was happy, talking about her new job. That turned out to be their last conversation. You don't know what words to find to comfort parents who have lost their child.

25 years later, of course, I would like to forget all these horrors, but it is impossible.

The towers collapsing on the TV screen, the people sitting in front of the TV at the military base, the fenced area I saw in New York two months later still appear before my eyes.

Such events make one feel even more deeply how short human life is and how little we know about what tomorrow will bring us.

Therefore, I think it is important to live for today, do good, leave something meaningful behind. And most importantly — to protect the people we love and be together with them more.

Gulshoda Abdiyeva, Honored Artist of Uzbekistan, Associate Professor of the Uzbekistan State Academy of Choreography

In the 2000s, I worked in the "Tanovar" dance-theater ensemble within the "Uzbekraqs" creative association. During that period, I worked a lot in cooperation with the "Anor" group produced by Gulnora Farhodovna. Karen Gafurjanov was the group's soloist. "Anor" sang modern songs, and I performed our national dances between concerts. Our program included dances like "Tanovar", "Munojot", "Rohat". With this group, I went on creative trips many times to Germany, France, Italy, Holland, and other European countries.

Gulshoda Abdiyeva.

In 2001, there was an invitation to go to America with the group. Until then, I had been on many foreign tours, but I had not yet been overseas. We were to participate in an event to be held in New York on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence. Meetings and concerts were planned at our embassy in the US.

On September 11, we flew from Tashkent airport towards Kennedy Airport in New York. At that time, I was 23 years old and four months pregnant. But because I was thin and tall, and our national costumes were loose, my pregnancy was not noticeable.

Our group consisted of eight people. Economy class tickets were bought for all of us. An hour or two after the plane took off and the flight began, Gulnora opa spoke with the crew management and moved me to business class. She knew about my pregnancy and wanted me to sit comfortably and rest during the long flight. For this reason, during the flight, I slept and woke up, ate, and fell asleep again in business class. Gulnora opa often came to me and checked on me, asking: "Are you lying comfortably? Aren't you hungry? Do you want to eat something?"

Our flight made a technical landing in England along the way to refuel, and then continued the flight. I remember, when I looked out of the plane window, I saw some small plane next to us. Later I found out it was a fighter jet. At that time, I didn't understand why it was flying next to us. Then they closed the window shades and did not allow them to be opened again. From the constant attention of Gulnora opa and the flight attendants, I thought this was a normal situation, that they were protecting me because of my pregnancy. In reality, very big events were happening in the air at that time.

Gulshoda Abdiyeva, Gulnora Musayeva, and the "Anor" group. Canada. / Photo: Personal archive.

As we were approaching America, the plane captain said that for some reasons we would land in Canada, not at the New York airport. But I did not understand the seriousness of the situation. Gulnora opa also came to me and announced that our concerts were canceled.

After the plane landed at the military base airfield in Goose Bay, Canada, we remained inside the plane for five to six hours. Food was distributed to us, the lights were turned off, and the window shades were not opened. But there was no shouting, panic, or quarreling.

Thinking back, the crew kept the peace in the cabin very well; they did not let anyone panic.

After we disembarked at the airfield, we were accommodated at the military base. The base was very clean and comfortable. There were bunk beds in the dormitories. Gulnora opa and I lived in one room.

There, finally, Gulnora opa openly told me what had happened: I heard that a terrorist attack had occurred in New York, and planes had crashed into buildings. She told me something to the effect of "a plane crashed into the building where we were going to perform." Perhaps Gulnora opa had been protecting me mentally and sparing my nerves until then. Although I was expecting my first child then, I did not have the fear of "What will happen now, where will we be left, will we die?"

Many telephone sets were installed at the base.

Everyone could speak with their family easily and free of charge.

I also called home two or three times a day. My relatives had found out about the event through television. When I called them, the first thing they said was "Oh, it's good you called, thank God!" They had been waiting for news from me, worried because they didn't know where we were and what had happened to us.

We were treated very well in Canada. Despite there being many people, everyone respected each other, taking turns to make phone calls and eat. They also gave us warm clothes, because on September 11 it was still warm in Uzbekistan, and not knowing it would be this cold in Canada, we had not taken long-sleeved clothes.

The next day, an excursion around the military town was organized.

Together with the "Anor" group, we also gave a small concert for the local residents.

We played music ourselves and danced together with the women and the military. This lasted for about an hour and a half.

A few days later, they put us on the plane again and returned us to Tashkent. At that time, my biggest regret was not being able to go to America. But it was a great happiness that we returned safe and sound. Later, I was fortunate to visit America twice as a tourist. I saw New York, Washington, and other places in America.

During one of those trips, I also saw the place where the buildings hit by the planes in 2001 stood. At that time, it was fenced off, and construction work was going on. People did not walk around there as before. Later I heard that a plaza was made there, but I haven't seen its subsequent state myself.

On one of my trips, we met again with the crew members who were on the 2001 flight.

We talked and remembered those days. Later, we met with the crew members frequently, mainly on programs about this event.

25 years later, when I remember September 11, the first thing that comes to my mind is how I slept and ate in business class on that plane. We always flew economy class for tours. And we almost never flew in business class (laughs).

I understood how terrible that event actually was only years later.

What would have happened if we had flown through a bit earlier or entered that area? Or on the contrary, what if we had arrived in America a bit earlier and were performing a concert in the building hit by the plane? When I think about these things, I still get goosebumps.

When I watched the movie "Flight 101", I was also very moved, I even cried. Seeing the pilots talking to each other in the movie, what was happening in the air, the situation in which the Uzbekistan plane flew, I realized things I didn't know at that time.

In general, I think September 11 is an event that had a great impact not only on my life, but on the lives of people all over the world.

It prompted us to realize how important peace and tranquility are.

On January 28, 2002, I gave birth to a daughter. Her name is Madina. She is married now. I often tell her about that event. Even now, when I remember that day, I say "God protected us."

Our captain, Zarif aka, also piloted the plane very carefully and returned us safe and sound. At that time, I didn't know the value of this. And years later, I am realizing it even more deeply.