"I hopped out of my car after the jet exploded, nearly oblivious to a second jet hovering in the.."

[Ghost in the Machine]

At 9:35 a.m., I pulled alongside the Pentagon. With traffic at a standstill, my eyes wandered around the road, looking for the cause of the traffic jam. Then I looked up to my left and saw an American Airlines jet flying right at me. The jet roared over my head, clearing my car by about 25 feet. The tail of the plane clipped the overhanging exit sign above me as it headed straight at the Pentagon.

The windows were dark on American Airlines Flight 77 as it streaked toward its target, only 50 yards away.

The hijacked jet slammed into the Pentagon at a ferocious speed. But the Pentagon's wall held up like a champ. It barely budged as the nose of the plane curled upwards and crumpled before exploding into a massive fireball.

The people who built that wall should be proud. Its ability to withstand the initial impact of the jet probably saved thousands of lives.

I hopped out of my car after the jet exploded, nearly oblivious to a second jet hovering in the skies.

Hands shaking, I borrowed a cell phone to call my mom and tell her I was safe.

Vin Narayanan, USATODAY.com 09/17/2001 - Updated 02:43 PM ET
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2001/09/17/first-person.htm

What was this second "jet"? I've read about a C-130 being in the area before...

Also, *why* would he have to call his mom and tell her that he was "safe"?

[hack89]

1. Well, there was an airport right next to the Pentagon

and is it unreasonable to assume that there was one or two in the landing pattern when flt 77 hit?

[Ghost in the Machine]

2. Nope, not unreasonable at all... n/t

[Rosa Luxemburg]

3. USA Today! Look no jet!

must have been hallucinating as no Flight 77 flw into the Pent.

[HamdenRice]

4. There is good evidence of a second plane, including pilot testimony

I don't have time to track it down, but I have read an interview or quote by the pilot of the military plane that was following flight 77.

[Sweet Pea]

5. Are you serious?

Also, *why* would he have to call his mom and tell her that he was "safe"?

I did, too. My parents live in NC and I knew they were watching the news, and they also knew I worked in the Pentagon periodically. She appreciated greatly my calling and assuring her I was safe. I can only guess that that was what Mr. Narayanan wanted to do, as well. I'd submit MANY, many, many, MANY people called their loved ones as soon as they could, or their parents.

What an odd question..."Also, *why* would he have to call his mom and tell her that he was "safe"?"

As far as a second "jet" is concerned, an aircraft, especially a C-130-sized aircraft, could be interpreted as a "jet" to many casual observers. Not surprising in the least.

[sabbat hunter]

6. jets hover?

Since when do jets hover?

[Ghost in the Machine]

8. The only jet that I know of that hovers is the Harrier Jump Jet... n/t

[vincent_vega_lives]

9. Hover?

Or Loiter. An aircraft flying slowly as in a traffic pattern at enough altitude can appear to "hover".

[Ghost in the Machine]

7. Yeah, I can understand it on your part...

but this guy worked at the USA Today building, not the Pentagon. It would never cross my mind to call *anyone* and tell them I was safe if a plane hit a building that I didn't work at.

As for the other jet, I've never heard *anyone* refer to a C-130 as a "jet". It's always been either "plane", "cargo plane" or "transport plane"...

[vincent_vega_lives]

10. sure

When looking at it up close.

But several miles out. Its just a grey tube with wings to somone not familier with Military aircraft. Tough to make out those spinning props.

[CJCRANE]

11. Could the 2nd jet be the "Doomsday Plane"? nt

[vincent_vega_lives]

12. No Not that

[vincent_vega_lives]

13. No Not That!

Mein Fuhrer!

[CJCRANE]

14. CNN: "Just before 10am a plane appeared over Washington...a white jet"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgF9Fd4UyMY

On edit:

CNN: Mystery 9/11 aircraft was military 'doomsday plane'

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/CNN_investigates_secret_911_doomsday_plane_0913.html