[TomB]

They failed to make it to the cockpit and subdue the pilot. I thought that then, and I think so now. This story corroborates it.

When was it conclusively stated that that was the case? It was always my understanding that they may have reached the door of the cocpit, but may not have gotten in. It looks like you and the AP are trying to rebut a conclusion that wasn't made.

Do you believe, however, that their actions in some way precipitated the crash?

[HitmanLV]

The myth at the time was certainly that they breached the cockpit - I remember that pretty clearly from the days following 9-11.

As for their resistance precipitating the aborting of the mission, that's probably what happened.

Unless the plane got shot down, which is also a possibility.