This is totally unconfirmed. I searched for, but couldn't find, a list of the known hijackers names. If Bukhari isn't one, or is a different spelling, I apologize. But, if the name is the same, this is incredible news, incredibly coincidental (note that this was published on Wednesday, Sept.13, meaning the crash occurred on September 11th 2000)
The other interesting thing to consider is that all light aircraft (i.e., General Aviation) are still grounded today by the FAA.
Clearly some terrorist attack has been detected and prevented that involved the use of small aircraft, otherwise General Aviation would be flying today just like the Commercial jetliners.
but the date: 9/11/2000, is just eerie...
The pilot of the PA-28-161 (Cherokee) held a student pilot certificate. His total flight time in the Cherokee was 17.6 hours, but his total flight time in all aircraft was undetermined. The pilot also had a foreign based private pilot license from the Philippines. The pilot held a current first class medical certificate, dated May 16, 2000, with no limitations or waivers.Wasn't there a Bin Laden plot to blow up planes over the Pacific foiled and the terrorists traced to the Philipines?
"This may have been his first solo flight," said Talal Khawaja , a fellow FlightSafety student. "The skies over Vero Beach and Fort Pierce are crowded. These things can happen."
Khawaja said Bukhari was second officer for a Saudi Arabian airline for 13 years. He had entered the flight training program to move up to pilot.
I have also found the identity of a CA woman married to a Saudi national named Talal Khawaja. (I will not post name or address (in S-A) based on privacy concerns)
Khawaja said student pilots from several international airlines use FlightSafety for training. He said the weather, facilities and costs are factors that attract foreign students.
More...
Bukhari, a Saudi Arabian national, was training to become a pilot at FlightSafety International in Vero Beach. He was in the early steps of a lengthy pilot training, which would have taken nine months to a year, FlightSafety International spokesman Roger Ritchie said from New York.
Mohammed Shabouni, who conducted an Islamic memorial service attended by Bukhari’s fellow Saudi students Tuesday, countered speculation that Bukhari’s fatal flight was his first alone at the controls.
"No, he has a private license already," Shabouni said. "This was not his first solo."
Still more...
FlightSafety has contracts with several international airlines to train personnel as pilots. Although FlightSafety is based in Vero Beach, student pilots regularly use the St. Lucie airport for touch-and-go practice landings.
Yet still more...
From stuckmic.com
Attorneys for the Bukhari family say in a complaint filed against the Federal Aviation Administration on June 5 that the control tower was negligent. The complaint, a first step in suing the agency, seeks $10 million. "The tower was aware that the two aircraft were in close proximity and there was imminent danger," said Washington D.C.-based attorney Leslie D. Alderman, who represents the Bukharis. "They failed to give appropriate warning." The government has six months to respond before the plaintiffs can file a lawsuit.
And from Aeronwes.net ....
Bukhari was a flight engineer with Saudi Arabian Airlines, and had been flying for sixteen of his 39 years.
Additionally: the only other mention of a Shabouni I can find ANYWHERE on the web is in CA as well.
If anyone gets the chance to expound, add, or clarify any of this please Freepmail me!
NBC news in Miami has reported that the FBI has this guy's brother in custody in south Florida and is questioning him.