The International Center for 9/11 Justice is pleased to announce the publication of the latest paper in the Debated Topics Forum’s ongoing discussion thread examining whether damage to the wall of the Pentagon and nearby objects is consistent with a large plane impact.
The new paper, “Second Rebuttal to ‘Large Plane Impact’ and Defense of Findings,” is authored by Xander Arena. In this extensive follow-up, Arena responds to the most recent defense of the “large plane impact” hypothesis by David Chandler and Wayne Coste. Arena contends that his central findings remain valid and are now reinforced by detailed computational analysis of impact energies.
Among Arena’s key arguments are:
- Column 18’s intact condition: Arena argues that despite the immense kinetic energy a Boeing 757 wing would have carried, Column 18 stood unbroken, which Arena calls a critical contradiction to the official account.
- Energy mismatches: He calculates that hundreds of megajoules of energy would have destroyed critical façade elements had a 757 struck, but the observed damage is far too limited.
- Column deformations: He argues that several columns were bent in directions inconsistent with a 757 trajectory, further undermining the impact scenario.
- Explosives evidence: He contends that features such as uplifted floor slabs and outwardly blown debris are consistent with explosive overpressure, not aircraft collision.
- Generator trailer and retaining wall: He argues that displacement of the generator and the supposed leftward roll of the aircraft upon allegedly impacting the generator are physically impossible.
Arena concludes that the “large plane impact” hypothesis has been falsified by both physical evidence and mathematical analysis and that alternative explanations involving explosives must be considered.
This paper is the fourth in a continuing series of exchanges between Arena on one side and Chandler and Coste on the other side.
All three authors will be taking part in Turning the Tide: 9/11 Justice in 2025 conference in Washington, DC, from September 10th to 12th — notably on the third day, which will be devoted to presentations and open discussion about what occurred at the Pentagon on 9/11. Please join us in person or watch it live or recorded on Redacted.
