He knew he had a bad situation on board. What he did not know was that they would soon invade him and slit his throat. Most intelligence community saw the plane heading for the White House or the Capital. It had its mission. The bad guys were already flying the plane.
After being overcome by the terrorists, Captain Jason Dahl was awake enough to know what to do. He heard passengers rushing the cockpit, but in his dying breaths, he and only he knew what could bring the plane down before it took more hundreds of lives....He had to make a decision that pilots or mortals should not have to make...
Captain Dahl was survived by Sandy his wife and his son, who graduated that year from U. of Colorado, Boulder, wearing his father's honorary doctoral hood. CIBU was very honored that year to have Jason Dahl family members there with us, his sister, brother in law.....and friends
CIBU has honored a few national champions and national heroes. It was never so proud to honor Jason Dahl, Captain, UAL, posthumously, in honor. And his dear life friend Captain Mark Hoog, UAL Captain, who was the shepherd of this story for all of us.
This anniversary celebrates Captain Dahl for his life-giving bravery, and Captain Hoog as a friend Captain who reached out and could never touch again his friend who became his ideal. It honors all pilots everywhere who hold human life in their hands and fingers on the stick or the throttle.
This story is a sacred part of American History. Sandy Dahl died this year some say, of a broken heart. Jason and Sandy, and Mark, our friends and family are with you and will ever treasure the heroism of you, Mark, for holding on, and holding on, and believing....your entire profession of pilots everywhere knows this story and you should be proud that you had the time with Jason and saw an American Hero, held him in your heart and take him with you. To have such a friend is a great gift.