NY judge rejects 9/11 suit against United Airlines

NEW YORK — A New York City judge has rejected claims in a lawsuit that United Airlines can be held responsible for the collapse of a third World Trade Center building after the twin towers fell in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Federal Judge Alvin Hellerstein said Wednesday that the airline was not responsible for the collapse of 7 World Trade Center.

Terrorists flew two commercial jets into the trade center towers on 9/11. Some crash debris pierced the facade of 7 World Trade Center, which collapsed later that day.

The corporate entity that owns 7 World Trade Center sued various aviation defendants, including United.

The judge said United could not have foreseen the chain of events that led to the building's collapse.