Madeline Amy Sweeney
Madeline Amy Sweeney | |
|---|---|
| Born | Madeline Amy Todd Template:Birth date |
| Died | September 11, 2001 (aged 35) |
| Occupation | Flight attendant |
| Known for | Flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11 during the September 11 attacks |
Madeline Amy Sweeney (née Todd; December 14, 1965 – September 11, 2001) was a United States flight attendant who lost her life when American Airlines Flight 11 was intentionally flown into the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks.
American Airlines Flight 11
Sweeney had served as a flight attendant for over a decade when, on September 11, 2001, she was asked by American Airlines to cover an additional shift due to the illness of another crew member. Typically, she worked part-time during weekends.
Shortly before departure, around 7:15 a.m., Sweeney placed a call to her husband, Mike, from the aircraft—a rare event for her. During this conversation, she shared her regret about not being able to see their five-year-old daughter off to school that morning. Mike comforted her by assuring that many such mornings would come in the future. Following the hijacking, Sweeney provided vital information by identifying the seat numbers of the hijackers and reporting that one individual displayed an object with red and yellow wires resembling an explosive device—details that proved essential for subsequent investigations.
At approximately 8:46 a.m., while speaking with her supervisor Michael Woodward on the phone, Sweeney described the aircraft’s dangerously low altitude moments before impact: "I see water. I see buildings... We are flying way too low. Oh my God!"
Legacy
On February 11, 2002, the Massachusetts state government inaugurated the annual Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery. This honor recognizes residents of Massachusetts who exhibit exceptional heroism in saving others. The first awards were presented posthumously to Sweeney, Flight 11 Captain John Ogonowski, and fellow flight attendant Betty Ong, all of whom lived in Massachusetts and provided critical intelligence during the hijacking. Their families accepted the honors on their behalf.
In the BBC docudrama Zero Hour, Season 1, Episode 2 titled "The Last Hour of Flight 11," actress Irene Carl portrayed Sweeney.
Some of Sweeney’s remains were identified in August 2002, allowing her family to proceed with burial arrangements; further remains were identified in later years. She is memorialized alongside other Flight 11 victims at the North Pool of the National September 11 Memorial, specifically on Panel N-74.