On the fated day of September 11th, 2001, amidst the chaos and grounded flights nationwide, an urgent medical need saw one flight take to the skies: a plane carrying lifesaving antivenom for Lawrence Van Sertima, a Florida-based snake handler who a venomous Taipan snake had bitten. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's "Venom 1" had a limited supply of a polyvalent antivenin that kept Van Sertima alive. Still, his survival hinged on obtaining a specific monovalent antivenin available only in New York and San Diego. Through special clearance by the FAA, a flight from San Diego was allowed to deliver the antivenin to Miami, as Broken Secrets detailed in their report.
However, this narrative has been somewhat chaotic over time, with some claiming it was the only non-military flight to take off immediately after the attacks. Snopes, a fact-checking website, dispelled this myth, clarifying that the flight took place the next day, on September 12, 2001, and at least two other flights are known to have occurred that same day, according to Snopes' investigation—notably, Capt. Al Cruz, a paramedic with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue's Venom 1, told Snopes in an interview that he and stayed by Van Sertima's bedside for "30 hours" during the recovery. Also, the plan was escorted by "two fighter jets and landed at Miami's Kendall-Tamiami Airport (now Miami Executive) at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday," on Sept. 12, AOPA reported.
The story of Van Sertima serves as a testament to the extraordinary circumstances and efforts undertaken during a national crisis. According to Broken Secrets, the polyvalent antivenin from "Venom 1" was a critical stopgap before the monovalent antivenin, which directly countered the Taipan's venom, could be administered. Within 45 minutes of the antivenin's arrival, it was given to Van Sertima, ultimately leading to his recovery and the opportunity to learn of the tragic events that had shaken the country just days before.
This exceptional tale—woven into the fabric of the nation's collective memory of 9/11—highlights the complexities behind the widespread belief that no planes flew that day following the grounding of flights. The National Archives referred Snopes to its 9/11 FAA Finding Aid for further details, but a relevant document confirming the exclusivity of Van Sertima's rescue flight was not found. The Federal Aviation Administration, meanwhile, was tight-lipped about the claim, referring inquiries to the U.S. Department of Defense, which declined to comment. The events, striking in their uniqueness, continue to resonate, conveying a narrative of human resilience and coordinated response in the face of overwhelming circumstances.
