Mohamed Atta ( (September 1, 1968 – September 11, 2001) was a known associate of al-Qaeda and the leader of the nineteen hijackers who carried out the September 11 attacks. He personally participated in the hijacking of American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to crash into the World Trade Center during the September 11, 2001 attacks. He was said to be 'the best candidate for the job'.