American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston crashed into the upper floors of the north tower of the World Trade Center at 08:46 Eastern Daylight Time (1246 GMT). It hit the building between the 95th and 103rd floors.

Thousands of people were already at their desks in both towers. About 80 chefs, waiters and kitchen porters were also in the Windows on the World restaurant on the 106th floor. Many who worked for firms located in the crash zone were killed instantly. Those on the floors above were already doomed, their escape routes cut off by fire.