Alaska Airlines Flight 261
Alaska Airlines Flight 261 was a tragic aviation incident that occurred on January 31, 2000, when the aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, crashed into the Pacific Ocean, resulting in the loss of all 88 individuals on board. The flight, which had departed from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, was en route to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with a planned stop in San Francisco. Approximately two hours after takeoff, the crew reported a jammed horizontal stabilizer and sought to divert to Los Angeles International Airport. Despite their efforts, the pilots lost control of the aircraft after a rapid descent and were unable to regain stability, leading to the crash.
An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board determined that the accident was not due to human error or adverse weather but stemmed from a malfunction in a critical component known as the jackscrew assembly, which lacked a fail-safe backup. Maintenance practices were also scrutinized, revealing that recommended replacement of the worn-out jackscrew had been overruled despite warnings. Following the incident, both Alaska Airlines and Boeing accepted responsibility, compensating victims' families and implementing enhanced safety measures to improve future maintenance oversight. The legacy of Flight 261 has prompted significant changes in aviation safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies.
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Alaska Airlines Flight 261
The Event: Fatal airplane crash off the California coast resulting from a mechanical failure due to inadequate maintenance procedures
Date: January 31, 2000
Place: Pacific Ocean, near Anacapa Island
On January 31, 2000, the horizontal stabilizer of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 jammed, causing the aircraft to plunge into a nosedive. The airplane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, hit the waters of the Pacific Ocean with sufficient force to destroy the aircraft, killing everyone on board. The malfunction was caused by a worn-out critical component that was not replaced during maintenance. This component did not have a fail-safe backup in case of an emergency.
Alaska Airlines Flight 261 departed from Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was scheduled to reach its final destination at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in Washington state, with a planned stop at San Francisco International Airport in California. Captain Ted Thompson and First Officer William Tansky were flying the aircraft, which carried three cabin crew members and eighty-three passengers.
Approximately two hours after takeoff, Flight 261 contacted dispatch to inform them of a jammed horizontal stabilizer. The crew requested a landing at Los Angeles International Airport in California. Half an hour later, the pilots lost partial control of the aircraft, and it descended rapidly almost ten thousand feet. They managed to fly for another ten minutes before completely losing control and crashing into the ocean. All eighty-three passengers and five crew members were killed.
The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation revealed that the accident was not caused by human error or adverse weather. A combination of factors contributed to the failure of a critical component in the horizontal stabilizer, called a jackscrew assembly, which is essential in the vertical control of an airplane. The component did not have a fail-safe backup in the event of a malfunction. The scheduled maintenance and lubrication of the jackscrew assembly, although approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, were found to be insufficient. John Liotine, a mechanic for Alaska Airlines, had recommended the replacement of the plane’s jackscrew two years prior to the crash. His decision was overruled by other mechanics, who performed further testing and deemed that the part was within the acceptable limits of wear.
Impact
Both the aircraft manufacturer, Boeing, and the carrier, Alaska Airlines, accepted responsibility for the accident. They agreed to compensate the relatives of the victims. Both pilots were posthumously awarded gold medals for heroism from the Air Line Pilots Association. Several safety measures and maintenance procedures were improved as a result of the National Transportation Safety Board’s findings and recommendations. The Federal Aviation Administration was required to conduct better oversight of future maintenance operations.
Bibliography
Dodd, Chris. “Alaska Flight 261 Pilots Awarded ALPA Gold Medal.” Air Line Pilot. Air Line Pilots Association International, Mar. 2001. Web. 7 Aug. 2012.
Malnic, Eric, and Li Fellers. “Firms Accept Liability in Flight 261 Crash.” Baltimore Sun. Baltimore Sun Media Group, 4 June 2003. Web. 7 Aug. 2012.
National Transportation Safety Board. Loss of Control and Impact with Pacific Ocean Alaska Airlines Flight 261 McDonnell Douglas MD-83, N963AS About 2.7 Miles North of Anacapa Island, California January 31, 2000. Washington: National Transportation Safety Board, 30 Dec. 2002. PDF file.
PBS. “Alaska Air Crash.” PBS. MacNeil/Lehrer Productions, 1 Feb. 2000. Web. 7 Aug. 2012.