A Theory About Flight 93 and Building 7: A Timeline That Raises Questions

(This post presents a personal theory I developed from my own research. It is not presented as fact, only as a perspective for readers to consider.)

For more than a decade, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the events of September 11th, 2001—especially the timeline surrounding Flight 93 and the collapse of World Trade Center Building 7. While there are many official explanations, many unanswered questions remain. What follows is my theory, based strictly on the public timeline, documented statements, and observations that stood out to me.
Again, this is only a theory, not proven fact.

The Timeline That Started My Theory

Here are the key times as they are widely reported:

• 8:42 AM — Flight 93 departs Newark, NJ.

• 8:46 AM — Flight 11 hits the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

• 9:03 AM — Flight 175 hits the South Tower.

• 9:37 AM — Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon.

• 9:59 AM — The South Tower collapses.

• 10:02 AM — Flight 93 crashes (or is shot down) in Pennsylvania.

• 10:28 AM — The North Tower collapses.

• 5:20 PM — Building 7 collapses later that afternoon.

These timestamps are not disputed. What is debated is the interpretation.

A Statement That Still Raises Eyebrows

During a live press conference, then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said:

“When Flight 93 was shot down…”

Some later claimed this was a mistake or a misquote, but the statement exists. Whether he misspoke or not, the fact remains: Flight 93 was in the air, heading toward New York, when the South Tower collapsed at 9:59 AM.

If Flight 93 had continued on its course, I estimate it would have reached Manhattan at roughly 10:40 AM.

What Was in the Crosshairs?

Based on its trajectory, Flight 93 was heading in the direction of New York City. If it had reached the city, what would have been the likely target?

My theory is that its intended target was Building 7, not the Twin Towers. Why?

Because:

• Building 7 housed important federal offices.

• It contained records related to investigations, including those involving missing Pentagon funds.

• The building was behind Towers 1 and 2, meaning those towers would have obstructed a direct strike earlier in the morning.

By the time Flight 93 would have arrived, however, the towers would have already collapsed, clearing the flight path.

The Collapse of Building 7

Building 7 fell at 5:20 PM—hours after the other collapses. Notably:

• It was never hit by a plane.

• It collapsed in what many describe as a “controlled-demolition-style” fashion.

• Larry Silverstein, leaseholder of the World Trade Center complex, once said on camera that he told officials to “pull it”—a phrase widely recognized in demolition language as meaning to initiate a building’s collapse intentionally.

This does not prove anything by itself, but it has fueled widespread debate.

The Records Inside Building 7

One of the most controversial elements surrounding Building 7 is what was stored inside it. Among various federal offices, the building reportedly held documentation associated with investigations into missing Pentagon funds—often cited in connection with the “$2 trillion” that Rumsfeld mentioned shortly before 9/11.

In my theory, destroying these records could be seen as a motive for why Building 7 would need to come down.

Would Flight 93 Have Hit Building 7?

If the plane had reached New York at around 10:40 AM:

• The Twin Towers would have already collapsed (the second at 10:28 AM).

• A straight, unobstructed flight path toward Building 7 would have been possible.

• The strike could then be used to justify the building’s later collapse.

This theory suggests that Flight 93 was intended to hit Building 7—providing the public justification for its destruction.

Why This Theory Matters to Me

I’m not claiming this is proven. I’m not claiming it’s the only explanation.

This is simply a theory I constructed based on:

• The official timeline

• Rumsfeld’s statement

• The flight path of Flight 93

• The unusual collapse of Building 7

• The records reportedly housed inside it

• The fact that Washington, D.C.—normally the most secure airspace in the world—was inexplicably unprotected until after the attacks were underway

These pieces taken together raised questions for me, and I believe reasonable people should be free to explore ideas—even uncomfortable ones.

Final Thought

This post is not meant to declare guilt or certainty. It is a theory—nothing more. Whether readers agree, disagree, or come away with new questions, the goal is simply to encourage independent thinking.

You have a right to make up your own mind.