MFR Nara - t8 - Faa - Miller Alan - 9-22-03 - 01137
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9/11 Document ArchiveMFR Nara - t8 - Faa - Miller Alan - 9-22-03 - 01137
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MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD ~
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Event: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Boston Center Field Site Interview with Alan
Miller
Type of event: Interview
Date: Monday, September 22, 2003
Special Access Issues: None
Prepared by: Geoffrey Brown
Team Number: 8
Location: FAA Boston Air Route Center, Nashua, New Hampshire
Participants - Non-Commission: John R. Donnelly, FAA Senior Attorney [(781) 238 7045]
Participants - Commission: John Azzarello, Miles Kara, Geoffrey Brown
NOTE: Please refer to the interview recording for a complete account.
Alan Miller has been with the FAA since 1989 as a certified professional controller and has spent
most of his career at Area C.
On 9111 Miller was assigned to Boston High Sector (above 24,000 ft.) as the RA position
(46RA). Prior to sitting down at 46R Miller noted that Pete Zilowski was by himself handling the
situation with AAll. He received a very short brief on the situation from Zilowski. The Area
Superviser, John Shippani, was away from the aisle briefing TMU on the situation. Miller heard
that it was a possible hijacking, and Zilowski explained the circumstances of the airplane
(NaRDO, no transponder beacon). He was told that there were unclear communications and that
the transponder was still emitting the primary code C when AA 11 stopped responding all
together north of Chester in Area B. In Area C airspace AAll received a flight data tag and was
under primary tracking. Zilowski continued to track AA 11 southbound after the threatening
transmissions were confirmed. Miller noted that other controllers, or the TMU alerted other
centers of the circumstance. Miller took over for Zilowski, and was at the main radar position for
Sector 46 at the first impact. Miller was told of the impact by John Shippani, and Miller
immediately thought it was AA 11. The Sector was closed to air traffic Miller moved traffic to
the low Sector 47, which is approximately 11,000 ft. and above to 15,000 ft. and above over
Boston. Miller left for break since his traffic was clear' and he saw the second hit on the WTC on
the break room television.
Miller stated that ATC FAA training had allowed the controllers at ZBW to successfully clear
the skies once the order was given. Post-9f11 Miller believes the FAA has a different role as a
coordinator with the military. He stated there should be more training for FAA ATCs to take part
in this responsibility.
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