John Ogonowski

John Alexander Ogonowski
Born	Template:Birth date Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	September 11, 2001(2001-09-11) (aged 50)
Occupation(s)	Pilot, agriculture advocate
Years active	1978–2001
Known for	Captain of American Airlines Flight 11 during the September 11 attacks; advocate for agriculture in Massachusetts

John Alexander Ogonowski (, February 24, 1951 – September 11, 2001) was a Polish-American pilot and advocate for agriculture. Residing in Dracut, Massachusetts, he actively promoted farming within the state, particularly aiding Cambodian immigrant farmers through the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. Ogonowski served as the Captain of American Airlines Flight 11, which was commandeered by al-Qaeda terrorists and crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks. It is believed he was killed by the hijackers prior to the aircraft's impact.

Biography

Ogonowski was born in Lowell, Massachusetts and attended St. Stanislaus School followed by Keith Academy. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering from Lowell Technological Institute (currently known as University of Massachusetts Lowell) in 1972. During the Vietnam War, he served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, flying C-141 transport planes and attaining the rank of captain before his honorable discharge.

He began his commercial flying career in 1978 with American Airlines, where he worked for 23 years and was affiliated with the Allied Pilot Association. Initially joining as a flight engineer—a position he also held in the Air Force—he later advanced to captain. During this period, he married Margaret "Peggy" Ogonowski, who was employed as a flight attendant.

Besides his aviation profession, Ogonowski was deeply involved in farming, acquiring 150 acres on Marsh Hill Road in Dracut through the federal Agriculture Preservation Restriction program. He cultivated crops such as hay, corn, pumpkins, blueberries, and peaches. He was widely recognized for his dedication to Massachusetts agriculture, with a particular focus on supporting immigrant farmers from Cambodia.

September 11 attacks

On September 11, 2001, Ogonowski lost his life while serving as captain aboard American Airlines Flight 11 during its hijacking. Following his death at the hands of the hijackers, Mohamed Atta assumed control of the Boeing 767 and deliberately crashed it into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Legacy

Ogonowski is survived by his wife Margaret and their daughters Laura, Caroline, and Mary Catherine. His younger brother, Jim Ogonowski, also an advocate for agriculture, pursued a congressional seat in 2007 but was not elected.

In recognition of their bravery during Flight 11's hijacking, Ogonowski along with flight attendants Betty Ong and Madeline Amy Sweeney were honored as inaugural recipients of the Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery in 2002. This award was established by the Government of Massachusetts to annually commend residents who demonstrate exceptional courage in safeguarding others.

In the BBC docudrama Zero Hour (Season 1: Episode 2), titled "The Last Hour of Flight 11," actor David Carnegie portrayed Ogonowski.

A model aircraft flying field located in nearby Tewksbury, Massachusetts, has been dedicated in his memory.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell conferred an honorary doctorate posthumously upon Ogonowski during its 2003 commencement ceremony held at Tsongas Arena.

In the 2008 Farm Bill, USAID’s Farmer to Farmer program was renamed to honor both John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter.

At the National 9/11 Memorial, Ogonowski’s name appears on Panel N-74 at the North Pool alongside Kathleen A. Nicosia, a flight attendant who also perished on Flight 11.

See also

• Charles Burlingame
• LeRoy Homer Jr.

External links

• Captain John Ogonowski on Legacy.com