[EllaMinnow]

Sentence 2 contradicts sentence 1.

It really does, and makes the whole article nonsensical.

[cyncooper]

click

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Sentence 2 contradicts sentence 1.

Not at all. The first sentence says the passengers were taking action. Sentence two says they did not make it into the cockpit. In any case they caused the aborted attempt to hit Washington.