[Alberta's Child]

If they were planning to crash into the White House, and they didn't because of the passengers actions, how can you say the passengers weren't successful?

If the aircraft crashed because of the passengers' actions, then the passengers were successful. If the aircraft crashed for some other reason, then the passengers were not successful but were "heroic" nonetheless.

[TomB]

If the aircraft crashed for some other reason

And what would that "reason be?

Remember, your post made the specific statement "The point is that they weren't successful."

So you obviously know more than we do. Please enlighten us.