Life goes on for son of Kiwi who fought back on United Flight 93

Alan Beaven was one of the passengers who prevented Flight 93 from crashing into the White House.

The son of the New Zealander killed tackling terrorists in the cockpit of United Airlines Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, hoped the fifth anniversary would be just another day.

California-based John Beaven had his plans mapped out for September 11 (today US time): Wake up and go to work. Do his job, in ticket sales for the Golden State Warriors basketball franchise.

"My hope is that it's another Monday. I'm going to try and treat it like a normal day," Mr Beaven, 26, told the Contra Costa Times.

"It was a terrible tragedy. I don't want it to be something hovering over me. That's kind of how I try to ... I don't think it necessarily helps to constantly dwell on it."

Alan Beaven, 48, a San Francisco lawyer and father of three, was among 44 people who died when Flight 93 crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Passengers had fought back when hijackers tried to crash the aircraft into the White House, and Mr Beaven's remains were found inside the cockpit.

He had a diverse legal career on four continents.

In England, he was a law professor at Kings College, a private defence lawyer and a lead prosecutor for Scotland Yard.

He practised in Portugal, Hong Kong and New York before forming a firm in San Francisco.

He left a wife, Kimi, and a daughter, Sonali, 6, and sons John and Chris from a previous marriage.

John Beaven said his father would not have wanted a fuss.

"He was successful as a lawyer but very humble as an individual," he said.

"His family and friends will always remember who he was, what he did. It's not necessary for everybody to remember who Alan Beaven was."

His New Zealand accent, shouting "Turn up!" was heard on the cockpit voice recorder.

His son told the newspaper he was proud of what his father did, but did not want to dwell on what happened on the plane.

"The overwhelming feeling of others is pity. I don't need people to feel sorry for me," he said.

He watched the attack on the World Trade Centre on TV with "morbid fascination" until family called in with news his father's flight had crashed.

The second New Zealander killed in the 9/11 attack was John Lozowsky, who was in the World Trade Centre.

Mr Lozowsky was born in the United States but lived in Wellington for several years and held New Zealand citizenship.

- NZPA