SOMERSET, Pa. -- The cockpit voice recorder from the hijacked United Flight 93 that crashed in Somerset County was found late Friday, WTAE-TV's Mike Clark reported.
It was found at 8:25 p.m., about 25 feet within the crater created by the crash, according to FBI spokeswoman Linda Vizi.
It was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington.
FBI spokesman Bill Crowley said the recorder appears to be "in fairly good shape," citing descriptions by those who found it.
On Thursday, the flight data recorder was found. It notes speed, altitude, engine activity and how other aircraft systems are operating.
The voice recorder is designed to capture at least the last 30 minutes of cockpit conversation.
The Boeing 757 went down Tuesday in rural Shanksville, after leaving Newark, N.J., for San Francisco. Radar showed the plane on route and heading over Cleveland when it abruptly turned back east, began losing altitude and flying erratically toward Maryland before it crashed.
Teams of federal and state investigators, as well as forensic anthropologists and other scientists, continue combing 20-by-20-foot grids at the heavily guarded Somerset County site.
A Day Of PrayerFriends and relatives of passengers and crew killed when hijacked Flight 93 plummeted into a western Pennsylvania field sat tearfully Friday evening as Gov. Tom Ridge hailed the victims as heroes at a prayer vigil attended by thousands, including members of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"The passengers on that plane decided to fight back their hijackers," Ridge said at the vigil outside of the Somerset County Courthouse. "They undoubtedly saved hundreds, if not thousands, of lives in the process. They sacrificed themselves for others -- the ultimate sacrifice.
"What appears to be a charred, smoldering hole in the ground is truly and really a monument to heroism," said Ridge, who earlier in the week visited the crash site 10 miles away in rural Shanksville.
About 80 friends and relatives, none who spoke at the service, were escorted by police and Red Cross workers past a crowd estimated at 3,000 to attend the somber vigil. Many cried as they waved candles and flags while singing "God Bless America."
Friday was the national day of prayer. Click here to see how
western Pennsylvanians marked the day.Senators Laud Heroes, Mourn Crash VictimsU.S. Sens. Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum took part in Friday's day of prayer at the crash site of Flight 93 in western Pennsylvania. They attended a memorial and participated in a brief service with a rabbi, a Baptist minister and a Roman Catholic priest.
Specter said that he thought the plane that went down in the Somerset County field on Tuesday was headed to the U.S. Capitol.
"I firmly believe that we (he and Santorum) wouldn't be here today if not for the bravery and heroic efforts of the passengers that I belive to have halted this terroristic act," said Specter.
Santorum presented a flag that flew over the Capitol at the site.
"It seems very obvious that it was an act of heroism by the passengers," said Santorum.
"Information points to it having headed for the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the sole beacon for freedom in the world." He believed it to be headed for Washington, D.C., and, specifically, the Capitol.
Santorum said there is no indication of the plane having been shot down.
"From what we've observed on the ground, there was no airplane debris subsequent to the crash site," said Santorum.
He said that it confirmed the FBI's observation that there wasn't a missile strike.
Santorum said that the plane was flying at a low altitude, 7,000 feet, and at a high rate of speed, 450 mph.
He said, based on the reports, a plane flying that low and fast could crash with a slight alteration.
"The indicators are (passengers) rushed the pilots and brought the plane down," Specter said.
Salvation Army and Red Cross workers gathered at noon near the crash site to pray and sing "Amazing Grace."
They stood in front of an American flag, a Pennsylvania state flag, a 10-foot-tall wooden cross and a sign saying "Our prayers are with you." Stapled onto the sign were 45 red-white-and-blue ribbons -- one for each of the victims of Flight 93.
"Let me say to the world and to America: Terrorism will never defeat the American people and the American spirit. The terrorists, all they've done is awakened a sleeping giant," said the Rev. Russ Kessler, pastor of Heritage Baptist Church in Somerset.
Outspoken And Out Of A JobWTAE-TV's Jim Parsons reported that an airport security guard was fired, reportedly for critical comments or for talking to the media.
Click here for that report.Mystery Plane Revealed?There has been speculation about a plane seen near the site of the Somerset County crash on Tuesday.
Click here for witness video accounts.On Friday, WTAE-TV reported that the mystery pilot in the white plane may have been an area farmer.
James K. Will, a Berlin, Pa., farmer who pilots a white Cessna with red stripes (pictured at right) and who has an airstrip near his farm, told Team 4 reporter Paul Van Osdol that he circled the scene about 45 minutes after the crash.
Will said he had just returned from Altoona and, when he'd heard about the crash, flew to the site to take photos of the wreckage. Pennsylvania State Police said that his plane may have been the one that many saw.
Will's flight was intercepted by a state police helicopter and was escorted to the Johnstown-area airport. His plane was searched and he was released.
"I hope it's not causing an inconvenience," he said of the incident.
However, the presence of a military plane has still not been ruled out.
Van Osdol cited discrepencies in relation to the color and the timing of the mystery plane.
Witnesses said the plane was only white and that it was spotted within 10 minutes of the crash.
Donor BewareWTAE-TV's Wendy Bell reported Friday that those opening their heart and wallet during tragic times must beware.
She reported that, in the midst of tragedy there are some false charities preying on good intentions and pocketing donations.
Two of the largest organizations seeking disaster-relief donations
so you can identify how they ask for your help.
The Salvation Army reports that it never calls, e-mails or faxes asking for money or credit card pledges. So if someone posing as a Salvation Army representative contacts you in any of these manners and asks for a donation, be wary.
The Red Cross does call seeking donations, but only those who have already given. So, if you've never given to the Red Cross before and someone calls you out of the blue, that should be a red flag.
More than 500,000 federally recognized charities solicit for contributions, and most are legitimate. Bell recommends that one ask the charity for proof that your contribution is tax deductible. If you're still uneasy, contact the organization directly to make sure they are actively soliciting donations in your area.
Teen Arrested For Bomb ThreatAllegheny County police said that a 15-year-old boy is being held for allegedly calling a bomb threat into a suburban Pittsburgh high school this morning.
Allegheny County police Superintendent Ken Fulton said the unidentified teenager called 9-1-1 just before 11 a.m., claiming there was a bomb at the Sto-Rox High School. Police and fire officials evacuated the school in McKees Rocks as a precaution.
Fulton said a surveillance tape from a store caught the boy making the call from a phone booth. The teen is being taken to a juvenile detention center and faces charges of risking a catastrophe, reckless endangerment and terroristic threats.
Previous Local Stories:Sept. 13, 2001: Flight 93 Data Recorder FoundSept. 12, 2001: Alleged Partial Flight 93 Cockpit Transcript Obtained FBI Searches New Castle Apartment Pittsburgh International Airport Revamping Security FBI Interested In Local Townhouse, Car Westmoreland County Man Among Crash Victims Munhall Woman's Brother Calls From WTC RubbleSept. 11, 2001: Plane Crashes In Somerset County Flight 93 Passenger Said He Planned Action Cities Knew Plane Was Coming, But Not Where Tearful Ridge Promises Help From Pa. State Watches, Reacts As Attacks Unfold Copyright 2007 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
