Tapes May Play at First 9/11 Damages Trial

The dramatic last minutes recorded on Flight 93 may be heard at a wrongful death case filed by a victim’s wife, Reuters reports. In the first 9/11 damages case to reach trial, the black box recordings would play sounds of passengers breaking into the cockpit and retaking the airplane from hijackers. The tapes have not yet been released publicly, Reuters reports.

The plaintiff’s lawyer calls the recordings his best evidence for laying blame on United Airlines. But plaintiffs in the 41 pending 9/11 cases are frustrated by the structure of the process, which will address damages and liability in separate trials – a ruling designed to encourage settlements. Families are still "glad the process is starting," the lawyer says. (More United Flight 93 stories.)