A planned flyover in commemoration of the 9/11 attacks has been canceled in Denver after what appears to be a breakdown in coordination between United Airlines, local authorities, and the Air National Guard. The details that have been publicized say that one UA jet was to be escorted by four ANG fighters in honor of the 25th anniversary of the tragic event, according to the New York Times.

Denver’s Office of Emergency Management had begun sending out notices to prevent confusion after concerns arose that the display could appear to be a real hijacking. According to 9 News, UA spokesperson Russell Carlton stated that the flyover was not open to the public and planned as a part of private events being held at the airline’s hub and training center in Denver.

UA’s Plan For An Aerial Homage To The Victims of 9/11

Credit: Denver International Airport

From what has been released, the plan was for one United Boeing 777 was to take off from Denver International Airport (DEN) at 8:15 AM, which is the same time that UA175 from Boston Logan Airport (BOS) before it was hijacked. The widebody jet would then fly over UA’s Flight Training Center at Quebec Street and 35th Avenue, roughly 13 miles away on the north side of the city.

The timing of the flyby was slated for 9:03 AM, the same time that UA Flight 93 crashed into a Pennsylvania field. The Boeing 757 went down after its passengers overcame the terrorist hijackers before reaching their target. The airliner was to be escorted by four F-16 Fighting Falcons of the ANG’s 120th Fighter Squadron. Guard spokesperson Chance Johnson’s last update before the cancellation was that the plan was still under review at the state level.

The city was apparently making efforts to accommodate the flyover, but the office of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said, “We were informed by United they were doing this, not asked.” Spokesperson Jon Ewing elaborated to 9 News:

“We fully support honoring the victims of 9/11 as well as first responders. However, we know this might be unexpected or jarring and so our Office of Emergency Management has been working to get the word out, so people aren’t surprised.”

Coordination Breakdown Causes A Failure To Launch

Credit: Department of Defense

United has decided not to proceed with the flyby following the difficulties with its proposal, which also came under criticism from local community members. The Denver area is home to about three million citizens. The city’s emergency team expected about one million residents would require notification in advance of the event. 9 News directly asked UA’s spokesperson if the airline had considered the public reception, which was deflected by referring to the flyover as a private event.

To any aviation enthusiast, it is apparent that a low-flying 777 flanked by four fighter jets would have a significant presence over the entire area of its flight path. The huge twin-aisle, twinjet’s engines alone are some of the most powerful turbofans ever produced. Meanwhile, even while flying at low power, the compounding noise of four F-16s would be heard for miles. It would also be a very high visibility flyby with such a formation at low altitude over a densely populated area.

Never Forget: 25 Years After The Deadliest Attack On America

Credit: Department of Defense

Although the plan for the flyover was unsuccessful, it is understandable why pilots and leaders of the carrier would want to set up a grand way of honoring the lives lost 25 years ago considering United’s deep connection to the terrible events of 9/11. During the September 11 attacks, a total of 16 crew members and 84 passengers were killed on the two flights operated by UA.

On that fateful day, 11 crew members and 76 passengers also lost their lives on American Airlines Flight 11, which was the first plane to hit the towers. The Boeing 767 flying as UA175 was the second jet to make an impact on the same airframe as Flight 11. Later that day, six crew members and 53 passengers were also killed when the 757 flying AA Flight 77 hit the Pentagon.

As the anniversary of the attacks draws near, there will be major events at the National 9/11 Memorial and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Even with its flyby canceled, United is unveiling a monument crafted from steel recovered from the World Trade Center Ground Zero site at its training facility dedicated to the crew of Flight 175 and Flight 93.