Ben Sliney

Ben Sliney is a former United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Operations Manager. His first day in this position was September 11, 2001, and he was responsible for ordering a National Ground Stop across United States airspace in response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

Actions on September 11, 2001

After two planes crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, another into the Pentagon and one more in Pennsylvania, Sliney gave the order to land every plane in the air over the U.S. at the time (SCATANA), effectively shutting down U.S. airspace. There were roughly 4,200 aircraft in flight. 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, 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.

Portrayals in films and television

Sliney was initially involved in the 2006 movie 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.

Sliney also had a small role in Greengrass's 2010 film Green Zone.

External links

• Ben Sliney at IMDb
• USA Today Part II: No one was sure if hijackers were on board