While there is a wide range of possible explanations for the
collapse of the South Tower (2 WTC) before the North (1 WTC), it is
believed that the lower impact of the plane on the tower (a full 15
stories under the same point on 1 WTC) and the passing of shrapnel
and parts of the plane through three of four floor beams weakened
the structure at an accelerated rate and brought 2 WTC down before
its counterpart.