Ben Sliney
Sliney in 2021
Born
Benedict L. Sliney

1945 (age 78–79)
Alma materDowling College (BS)
St. John's University School of Law (JD)
Occupation(s)Air traffic controller and lawyer
Known forFAA National Operations Manager on September 11, 2001 who ordered closure of U.S. air space.
SpouseIrene Lynch Ahern[1]

Benedict L. Sliney (born 1945)[2][3] is an American retired lawyer, air traffic controller, and former Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Operations Manager. His first day in this position was on September 11, 2001, and he was responsible for ordering a National Ground Stop across United States airspace in response to the September 11 attacks.[4]

Actions on September 11, 2001

After American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon, Sliney gave the order to land every plane in the air over the US at the time (implementing the SCATANA plan), effectively shutting down US airspace. There were roughly 4,200 aircraft in flight.[4] This was an unprecedented act, which the 9/11 Commission later denoted as an important and decisive moment in that morning's chaos. While Sliney made the decision on his own initiative, he had the advice of an experienced staff of air traffic controllers and traffic managers.

Although it was his first day in charge, Sliney had an over-25-year background in air traffic and management in the FAA. He had held various positions as an air traffic controller, first-line supervisor at several major facilities, and Operations Manager and Traffic Management Officer at New York TRACON. He also held positions as Traffic Management Specialist, National Operations Manager, and Tactical Operations Manager at the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) and had regional office experience as Manager, Airspace and Procedures Branch, Eastern Region.

Sliney later left the FAA to practice law.[2]

Personal life

Sliney is married to Irene Lynch Ahern.[1] As of 2018, he is retired and lives in Sandwich, Massachusetts.[3]

Portrayals in films and television

Sliney was initially involved in the 2006 film United 93 in an advisory role. He was then cast in a small role as an air traffic controller. Later, the film's writer and director, Paul Greengrass, offered him the opportunity to play himself, which he accepted.[5] Sliney also had a small role in Greengrass's 2010 film Green Zone. He also took part in the documentary Seconds from Disaster.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "United States Naval Academy Leadership Conference Benjamin Sliney". 2013. Archived from the original on September 10, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Faber, Judy (April 25, 2006). "FAA Manager Relives Events Of Sept. 11". CBS News. Associated Press. Retrieved October 8, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Hunter, Karen B. (January 11, 2018). "The Man In Charge Of The Skies Remembers 9/11". The Sandwich Enterprise. Retrieved August 26, 2021.
  4. 1 2 "Part I: Terror attacks brought drastic decision: Clear the skies". USA Today. August 12, 2002. Archived from the original on September 14, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  5. ↑ Williams, Andrew (October 4, 2006). "60 Seconds: Ben Sliney". Metro online. London: Associated Northcliffe Digital. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  6. ↑ "About Seconds from Disaster: 9/11". Nat Geo TV. NGC Europe Limited. Archived from the original on May 30, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
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