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WETA Cameraman Defies Pentagon Security, Reports Inbound Plane

9/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

WETA cameraman Jeff Rathner and a PBS NewsHour intern rushed to the Pentagon after the September 11, 2001 attack.
Rathner arrived about nine minutes after the plane struck and noted no visible aircraft debris.
Lee defied security's halt and continued filming deeper into the Pentagon.
The crew heard a warning of another inbound plane, later identified as the Pennsylvania crash.

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Story summary

WETA cameraman Jeff Rathner and a PBS NewsHour intern rushed to the Pentagon after the September 11, 2001 attack.
Rathner arrived about nine minutes after the plane struck and noted no visible aircraft debris.
Lee defied security's halt and continued filming deeper into the Pentagon.
The crew heard a warning of another inbound plane, later identified as the Pennsylvania crash.