It’s hard to believe it’s been a full quarter-century since the World Trade Center fell. Those who watched the nightmare unfold on live TV have certain images burned into their memories, and the attacks’ consequences continue to shape the American political landscape. To mark the 25th anniversary, there have been memorial events across the nation. Many are somber and restrained tributes to those who were murdered that day, combined with praise for those who gave their lives saving others. Some memorials have raised eyebrows. United Airlines had planned to fly a passenger jet at a lower-than-usual altitude over Denver with a fighter plane escort until people expressed concerns that this could be mistaken for a copycat terrorist hijacking. Another, in New York City harbor, was hard to miss: a precise recreation of the Twin Towers using drones, though the unexpected arrival of a passenger jet has given some observers unpleasant flashbacks. “Seeing a real plane cross that silhouette makes your stomach drop” The drone memorial, “2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor”, used illuminated drones, one for each person killed on 9/11, to form a full-scale outline of the World Trade Center on September 9. The memorial was sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts, produced by creative director Addison Mehr, and developed with input from those linked to 9/11, including victims’ families, survivors, and first responders. Touching, but the timing of that plane was unfortunate. pic.twitter.com/tV45Djq6kN— Jay (@jordanpbanks) September 10, 2026 But, in an unfortunate twist, video footage captured an unwanted addition to the installation. As shown on X, at the moment the drones had formed into a ghostly replica of the World Trade Center, a passenger jet appeared to fly right through it. Responses ranged from morbid amusement at the coincidence to outright shock. One said, “I thought for one horrifying second the drones were recreating the plane crash as well!”, a sentiment echoed by another, “Oh that was an actual plane? I thought that was part of the show.” Others sounded genuinely disturbed: “The tribute is moving, but seeing a real plane cross that silhouette makes your stomach drop. Some images carry too much history for that timing to feel neutral”, “that part actually got me. plane timing was rough though, straight up jump scare energy,” and that “my heart started pounding.” Thankfully this coincidence doesn’t appear to have spoiled the occasion. Terry Strada, the President of 9/11 Families United and widow of victim Tom Strada, said (via Newswire): “For my husband, Tom, and for all the beautiful souls we lost on September 11, may these lights carry their memory upward and remind the world that even in our darkest hour, their light still shines. To illuminate the sky is to remind a new generation not only of all we lost, but of who we became in the aftermath, one nation united in grief, in love, and in resolve, rising together from the ashes.”