Great tribute video... however at the end of your video you state that after this tragic accident happened the NTSB has made it safer now for passengers to fly this is not true as we speak airlines around the world still practice cut backs on maintenance while the Federal Safety Commission & other Government officials look the other way... yes to this day safety inspectors are still threatened with the loss of their jobs & blacklisted by airlines if they bring up safety issues it still goes on.
Shame that for dollar saved, all these souls lost their lives. So many airlines try to cut costs to keep the cost of tickets down. IMO there are so many consumers trying to get lower fares that the airlines did anything possible to keep tickets cheaper. Including skimping on maintenance. I'd pay more to get there safely.
Safety is measured in lives lost and people injured. Most compaines look at safety as something that gets in the way of productivity. People are expendable and airpalnes are insured. The airlines get sued and fight the lawsuit by trying to prove the value of, the earning potentional of, and the contribution to society the dead would have made if they had lived. They devalue peoples worth, pay the relatives as litlle as the can, and continue taking short cuts, at least until the next accident.
The stabiliser got stuck at full nose trim down, then broke loose and went past full nose down. Since the stabiliser was pushing the nose down, the only way they pulled out of the dive was to invert the plane so the stabiliser was now pushing the nose up. Quite a brilliant bit of flying. They then tried to roll out of the inversion. Unfortunately, dspite the skill of the pilots he aircraft was doomed the moment the stabiliser went past the stops.
This crash is a terrible example of a disaster that happened because of bad maintenance and an airline company that only cares about profit. But in my opinion JAL flight 123 is much worse. This crash wasn't because someone wanted more profit, but because of a faulty repair by BOEING PEOPLE. The people on that flight have been in a terryfying situation for more than half an hour! RIP so much. Also for all victims of flight 261.
What? It is not the job of Boeing to fix the planes. No that is the job of the airline company. Alaska Air in a race to save money let the problem go.
I was talking about JAL123. In that case, the company did have the plane repaired, but the people from Boeing themselves made a faulty repair. In this crash, it's the fault of Alaska Air. That;s completely true.
Ok the way it was worder I read it different. But even in the case of JAL123 Boeing was will to take the heat and even said it was something they failed at. But for a number of years from what I read the people of Japan did not see it that way.
Boeing was PARTIALLY at fault in JAL123, for using only a single row of rivets on the repair doubler plate. however JALSs MX personel ignored signs of problems for years (There where reports from pax and cabin crew of "Whistling" noises coming from the rear of the aircraft prior to the failure.
Thanks for the post. I sometimes wonder if I have flown on the bird that went down. I often flew between San Diego and SeaTac on Alaska's MD-80's. I KNOW those pilots struggled to the very end. They NEVER stopped flying that aircraft and NEVER stopped trying to put her back in "normal" flying mode. I remember it well and, as with any accident, it's very sad. Such a loss. Thanks again for the post and the other posters who helped.
Probably one of the saddest, yet most growing experiences of my life. It was my great honor, as a member of the AFA, to volunteer several days in LAX, assisting the CIRP team and AFA EAP from Alaska as we sat in the LAX crewroom, helping to mourn and memorialize all the members of the ALASKA family that were lost in such a tragic accident. After almost 9 years the experience is still fresh in my mind.
OK, its not safe...neither is driving, walking, running, riding a bike, riding in a taxi, riding in a bus...where do you want me to stop?
The safest thing you can really do is to wrap yourself up in bubble wrap and sit in your living room, which should also be lined with foam or more bubble wrap.
My good friend was on that plane when it arrived in Puerto Vallarta. I saw that plane at the airport on that day.
I'll never forget how I felt at the airport when I had to leave a week later...Imagining all those people standing where I was, ready to board their plane ride home.
At 3:25 - you accidentally say that Alaska Airlines INCREASED jackscrew lubrications by 400%. This is infact the opposite of what they did: they DECREASED jackscrew lubrications by 400%. In otherwords, they lubricated the jackscrew 4 times less frequently than they should have in order to save money...greed.
What I meant by the comment is that they increased the length of time between each jackscrew lubrication. In hindsight, it isn't worded very well and I would change it if I was doing it again.
Such an emotional song,fits very nicely with this tragic crash. I have flown on the MD-83 on Alaska Airlines a few years later, and I am glad that a lesson has been learned, so that this will never happen again.
There was no cabin pressure loss since the cabin was intact until impact. They were killed by the impact with the water. The pilots gave it all to save the plane, right up to the last seconds, they never gave up. They are true heroes but the dive was just uncontrollable due to the screw/stab failure.
Thank you for your tribute. In maintenance we get overruled so much and some mechanics only focus on getting the plane back into the air, not the consequences of not doing what NEEDS to be done. The mechanic who told them what needed to be done need not feel guilty... he did his job. The overriding mechanic and the company are to blame. Tech orders exist for a reason... they are ORDERS... not suggestions.
I remember watching the news that week as family members of some passengers were being interviewed. I recall hearing from the parents of a couple and their baby girl, and an adult son, all waiting at the airport, to pick up their loved ones, who would never be seen again. For a few days after, all I could think about were these four individuals as the plane flew out of control into the ocean, and the families they left behind.
Well, they've improved quite a bit, this crash was pretty long time ago, but not THAT long. After events like this companies always improve their planes and the manufacturers spend millions improving them too.
This loss took place right off my parents home when I lived there. I recall the rescue efforts. As an aviation enthusiast...this story really brings sadness to my heart. What an unnecessary and devastating loss.
this is a perfect example of crashing into the water, there doesnt seem to be any survivors, i dont see why they teach flight attendants how to evacuate in a water landing? i mean, ok, if they land all nice and smooth, etc etc, but how often does that happen? this video is what happens most of the time in a crash landing in water, you're dead.
Yea but a lot of ditchings were survivable, and would you like to fly on a plane where the crew did not receive full training regardless of what might happen.
this video is so sad, i cried when i watched it. the pilots were very brave and way above the level of being professional in that situation. i would be proud to work for this company any day!
Thank you for this video. I worked for AK air and was suppose to be on this plane. 4 of us did not get the vacation time to go but 3 did. We lost 3 close friends and employees that day among the others that were lost. Ameet I think of little mitch every year around this time, may his spirit be with you always.
well, are you aware that flying is still the safest way to travel? if you drive, take a bus, take a boat, or take a train, you are more likely to get into a car/bus accident, derailing, or sinking on one of those 4 than a plane crash.
As a result of this terrible crash Alaska no longer uses MD aircraft on this flight which I take every year. They now use only Boeing aircraft. It was such a terrible loss.
why use them at all? I mean do you know why (just puerto vallarta?) So sad, I use to work for Alaska and Horizon air and was shocked as they had such a super safety record,what a bummer that it was avoidable,bless the ones left behind.
Simply because the MD-80 is one of the most reliable aircraft built, it's older, but it's got a hell of a good record. This was Human error, not aircraft error. The aircraft was fine, People make mistakes, after all we're only human. Hopefully this will never happen again.
I was in Puerto Vallarta the day the plane arrived. My co-worker was flying in for some fun in the sun and arrived on that plane. I saw this plane before it left. I was also on the beach in Neuvo Vallarta after a jungle tour and waved goodbye to it with a drink in hand. Then, I heard the news the next morning. I'm still in shock and let me tell you that going to the airport the next day and standing where all those poor souls stood was, well, VERY HEAVY.
mgr it's frustrating...i know, everyone doesn't worry about how things work..just as long as they work. thanks for talking doing your job and doing it right.
not to bust your bubble swa97 but i am a controller at the POTOMAC CONSOLIDATED TRACON in DC and let me tell ya, southwest pilots suck. they cant hold radials for shit and they cry like little girls when you put them in holding. i had one southwuss pilot who was like "do you know im in the dc ADIZ and i said yes and you have been for the past 12 mins ya dip." long story short flight attendants have no clue what it takes to operate a plane so keep the drinks comming.
it makes me mad to know that so many airline accidents could be avoided,but arent.eventually one day we will get on a plane and expect to see our friends and family at the terminal.but all the friends and family are going to see is an officer to come and tell them that their child or sibling has perished in an airplane accident.and nobody will even notice except the ones that really care.like us. r.i.p. flight 261
ecuse me do u have any idea wat ur talking about. do you know how many flights go on in a day, hundreds of thousands, and 1 maybe crashes every 3 months. i am a pilot and if u think flying is more dangerous then driving, u need to do some research
is that my fault? no. i was replying to your comment that planes crash, when our planes are constantly in the temprature of alaska parts are bound to freeze. dont u get smart with me. flight attenant < pilot
I have lost a total of 3 personal friends, 7 family friends. You never know when an accident will happen until after it has happens. That includes everything from a 182, to a 757. They were all very experienced.
Deregulation killed those people. When the US gov. decides to protect the people from profiteers in the airline industry and protect lives (not lifestyles) these accidents will stop............
What a tragic waste of human life. Just because a company wanted to save money on maintainance. Just how much does it cost to grease a jackscrew exactly?
The main cost is actually doing it. While it is on the ground, it is not up in the air earning money. Greasing it costs next to nothing. Having it sitting in a hangar not earning money is where the real cost is.
As your title says aviodable alaskan totaly to blame! I feel sorry for the repair guy who was overruled he knew and tried to stop it ,he must think about this tragedy every day!
I also heard/read on the CVR that the airline still wanted them (it seemed to me) to continue on and NOT land at LAX (one pilot even commented "I don't care what it does to the schedule"). It seemed they kept them up there longer than(perhaps) they should have been? of course Hindsight 20/20, Very moving and nice video, as you said RIP to the passengers and crew.
from 30,000ft to 17,000ft and it still took them 1 1/2 minute to fall out of the sky and crash into the ocean. they said the md-80 design itself was a failure simply because if anything goes wrong with the stabilizer, there is absolutely no way or back-up plan to recover the aircraft vertically.
You're quite right. The jackscrew had no back up. It had a backup power supply if they main power failed but no backup to the jackscrew itself. The main point in the story, I feel, is that if it had been greased as recommended then it would never have happened. I wouldn't blame Boeing (Who had bought MD by this time) I would blame Alaska Airlines completely.
a truly beautiful and touching video. my heart goes out to all persons involed in this accident. may we learn from this accident and get together to make our skies more safer. thank you
Great Vid Backwoodpictures great way to remember the people who died on that plane. Great tribute. i like the song at the end wat is it called cause it reminds e of my aunt,uncle, and cousins who live in oregon. i really want that song so i could put it on my playlist
Yeah, I was on a Qatar 777 in business class when the galley caught fire. It consumed two seats in the first class cabin and 6 in the business class cabin. The plane was filled with smoke, and we were all scared to death. This, unlike the Qatar 777 I was on, was COMPLETELY avoidable.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
We´ve got a new point here...
Air Accidents Investigation Branch recommended Boeing in 2003 after the Helios 737 run out of oxigen and presurization...to change the wire backup of the air conditioning-presourization valve in all 737´s.
Boeing currently hasn´t responded yet...so:
Each Boeing 737 is just a potential Killing Machine by lazyness of Boeing to change their systems...saving cost???IOL.
Your comments are that of somebody that is biased against Americans and the company that has produced more transport aircraft than anyone in the world. Since the 737 is the longest running production aircraft, most produced and operated in the world it makes sense that the odds favor the most fatalities.
You obviously aren't aware then that the flight crew on the Helios flight responded incorrectly thinking the warnings they were getting (indicating the loss of pressurization) were telling them their landing gear was not down. Same tone but different format for the annunciation. They did not act correctly for the loss of pressurization, and in fact, the Captain got out of his seat to pull the circuit breaker to silence the warning.
Not to be rude, but whould should a pilot be trouble shooting a plane at the behest of other passangers? And the pilots should have set fuck you we are landing at the nearest airport. Clearly, there was something initially wrong with the plabe when it dove at 32,000 feet. Rather than chance it, couldnt the pilot have just landed the plane in LA? It seems that all of the maneuvering with the plane just made it much worse.
The problem was that the horizontal stabiliser was pushing it towards the ground because the jackscrew wouldn't move. When the plane was flying at 32,000 feet it was obviously flying at a high speed which gave the plane more natural lift. The pilots needed to 'test fly' the plane to ensure that they could keep control of the plane at all speeds. If they had just attempted a landing, they would have found that as they slowed down for landing, the plane would have less left and that coupled
with the faulty stabiliser quite probably would have caused the pilots to crash on the runway and potentially endanger people on the ground. The pilots wanted to get the feel for flying it at a lower speed so they knew what they need to do if they did get to the airport. Even if the pilots had got to LAX, they would have still had a great challenge to land the plane safely. This was also unheard of. I doubt any pilot in the world would have expected there to be no thread on the jackscrew.
I think any pilot would have expected it to have been an electrical problem and would have been able to 'troubleshoot' it. In hindsight, the pilots would have just landed straight away but as I said, this was unheard of. I hope this explains it a little better. I'm no expert however. Apologies for putting this in 3 comments but it has a maximum of 500 characters.
Wow, you sure sound like an expert. lol I guess that makes sense to me now. In a million years, those poor pilots probably did not know that there was no thread on the jackscrew...
Me? no. I'm no expert. Aviation is more of a hobby. It's amazing what you end up learning from Wikipedia. Hope you enjoyed the video. Just wish I had never had to make it.
I met my wife in December of 1999. One day when at her home in Redlands, CA, we were invited to dinner at her neighbors house, since she had grown up next to this man... this wonderful man was Ted Thompson, Captian of Alaska Flight 261. The family was very brave durriing this incident, he will be missed, as will everyone on board.
I'm a mechanic and would fly on the MD83 any day of the week. Comments like "those jack screws" are irresponsible and wrong. I've worked on the MD83 and I know the jackscrew. The MD83, nor the stabilizer actuator mechanism, are defective. This was the result of overriding a mechanic's recommendations. And Alaska is removing the MD83 from service because it's becoming hard to support them, not because they're dangerous.
Beautiful video.. still don't know why MD 80 and other MD products are flying with Non redundant systems on board.. those Jack screws can give way at any time.. and there is nothing in place to over compensate.. I am so sorry for the crew who fought to regain and the familes who were affected by this. I am also finally glad Alaska has finally pulled all MD aircraft.
I cried and cried. That was a most miserable time for Alaska Employees and their families. The public forgot that they were employees friends, families and coworkers on that plane. That those of us working, it could have been us or our families easily. As an ASA flight attendant, I know we have the best pilots and that is why I continue flying
You work for ASA? Altantic Southeast Airlines? My next video was going to be on ASA flight 529. Another accident that I feel the pilots did a tremendous job and saved many lives.
No I work for Alaska. It's their airline code. That is why this video was especially touching. We are a small airline and I had personally worked in Customer Service in SFO with the customer service agent who died on that plane. I have chosen after as261 and 9/11 to still be a flight attendant. I have been flying for over 5 years now.
Hi Both my mother and father were on this flight. I was only 16 years old. Thank you for a great video. It was tasteful and respectful. Thank you and God bless!
God bless you, and always remember your parents are now your Angels. You are strong, i don't think I would have made it through something of this magnitude.
Please, I thank you for this comment and my deepest sympathies to you. I just wish that I never had to make the video. I feel so deeply disgusted that this accident happened, that I wanted everyone to know the truth.
Those Pilots were pro's to the very end and never gave up,even when the plane was inverted they continued to do everything they could.I would of never been able to keep a level head like they did.What a shame to save the corporate pig a few bux on grease.God Bless all of them.
This was a great video, sucks though that it even had to be made. One of the passengers of this flight was the brother of one of my high school teachers.
Why the top brass of Alaska didnt do jail time I'll never know.
simpsonfan13 5 months ago
Great tribute video... however at the end of your video you state that after this tragic accident happened the NTSB has made it safer now for passengers to fly this is not true as we speak airlines around the world still practice cut backs on maintenance while the Federal Safety Commission & other Government officials look the other way... yes to this day safety inspectors are still threatened with the loss of their jobs & blacklisted by airlines if they bring up safety issues it still goes on.
ogrebattle22763 6 months ago
I like the song on this vid. It suits it. :I
Golditz95 1 year ago
Just load the damien rice song and play it while watching the video here. A little laggy but absolutely haunting
Esharhamat 1 year ago
Shame that for dollar saved, all these souls lost their lives. So many airlines try to cut costs to keep the cost of tickets down. IMO there are so many consumers trying to get lower fares that the airlines did anything possible to keep tickets cheaper. Including skimping on maintenance. I'd pay more to get there safely.
tuffy2342 2 years ago
Fuck you WMG for taking away the audio I hope you all burn in hell WMG
kidcaptian 2 years ago 16
yeah! fuck wmg
tinytwarps 2 years ago
Safety is measured in lives lost and people injured. Most compaines look at safety as something that gets in the way of productivity. People are expendable and airpalnes are insured. The airlines get sued and fight the lawsuit by trying to prove the value of, the earning potentional of, and the contribution to society the dead would have made if they had lived. They devalue peoples worth, pay the relatives as litlle as the can, and continue taking short cuts, at least until the next accident.
webercanyon 2 years ago
why do people have to die before others do the right thing?????????
Handiman544 2 years ago
why would a plane go inverted?
the lift can be lost
GTAstuntman101 2 years ago
The stabiliser got stuck at full nose trim down, then broke loose and went past full nose down. Since the stabiliser was pushing the nose down, the only way they pulled out of the dive was to invert the plane so the stabiliser was now pushing the nose up. Quite a brilliant bit of flying. They then tried to roll out of the inversion. Unfortunately, dspite the skill of the pilots he aircraft was doomed the moment the stabiliser went past the stops.
fightingtemeraire 2 years ago
because there is no lift.
GTAstuntman101 2 years ago
i like your theory... and i don't know if my comment is wrong, but i also have a different explanation why the aircraft turned upside down.
the plane was diving towards the ocean. because of their speed, the airplane didn't stay stable. it lost control and turned upside down...
i'm sorry if this is a bad comment...
matpres 2 years ago
This video was so good but, now that the audio is turned of, it totally ruined it.
mattbk84 2 years ago
Tell us where we can find this video with the audio.
jstrahan2 3 years ago
Pay the licensing fee...the audio was so good!
machanderd 3 years ago
This was better with music.
KINGDOMoftheORION 3 years ago
This crash is a terrible example of a disaster that happened because of bad maintenance and an airline company that only cares about profit. But in my opinion JAL flight 123 is much worse. This crash wasn't because someone wanted more profit, but because of a faulty repair by BOEING PEOPLE. The people on that flight have been in a terryfying situation for more than half an hour! RIP so much. Also for all victims of flight 261.
Opelfreakie 3 years ago
What? It is not the job of Boeing to fix the planes. No that is the job of the airline company. Alaska Air in a race to save money let the problem go.
Epica124 2 years ago
I was talking about JAL123. In that case, the company did have the plane repaired, but the people from Boeing themselves made a faulty repair. In this crash, it's the fault of Alaska Air. That;s completely true.
Opelfreakie 2 years ago
Ok the way it was worder I read it different. But even in the case of JAL123 Boeing was will to take the heat and even said it was something they failed at. But for a number of years from what I read the people of Japan did not see it that way.
Epica124 2 years ago
Boeing was PARTIALLY at fault in JAL123, for using only a single row of rivets on the repair doubler plate. however JALSs MX personel ignored signs of problems for years (There where reports from pax and cabin crew of "Whistling" noises coming from the rear of the aircraft prior to the failure.
bphendri 2 years ago
R.I.P. It must have been unimaginable horror when it was plunging. God Bless All x
DocStu28UK 3 years ago
RIP.
carlocarlo2008 3 years ago
Thanks for the post. I sometimes wonder if I have flown on the bird that went down. I often flew between San Diego and SeaTac on Alaska's MD-80's. I KNOW those pilots struggled to the very end. They NEVER stopped flying that aircraft and NEVER stopped trying to put her back in "normal" flying mode. I remember it well and, as with any accident, it's very sad. Such a loss. Thanks again for the post and the other posters who helped.
aviationwingnut 3 years ago
Probably one of the saddest, yet most growing experiences of my life. It was my great honor, as a member of the AFA, to volunteer several days in LAX, assisting the CIRP team and AFA EAP from Alaska as we sat in the LAX crewroom, helping to mourn and memorialize all the members of the ALASKA family that were lost in such a tragic accident. After almost 9 years the experience is still fresh in my mind.
In Unity!
kheare 3 years ago
please don't ever tell me that flying is safe!!
joebarden 3 years ago
OK, its not safe...neither is driving, walking, running, riding a bike, riding in a taxi, riding in a bus...where do you want me to stop?
The safest thing you can really do is to wrap yourself up in bubble wrap and sit in your living room, which should also be lined with foam or more bubble wrap.
Parubhi 3 years ago
No cuz u would die of dehydration
and u would get reaaaaaaaly hot
Revilox90 3 years ago
The safest mean of transport is a lift. really!
Opelfreakie 3 years ago
If flying is unsafe, make sure you never shower either.
xb70valkarye 3 years ago
My good friend was on that plane when it arrived in Puerto Vallarta. I saw that plane at the airport on that day.
I'll never forget how I felt at the airport when I had to leave a week later...Imagining all those people standing where I was, ready to board their plane ride home.
So sad.
machanderd 3 years ago
Backwood Pictures:
At 3:25 - you accidentally say that Alaska Airlines INCREASED jackscrew lubrications by 400%. This is infact the opposite of what they did: they DECREASED jackscrew lubrications by 400%. In otherwords, they lubricated the jackscrew 4 times less frequently than they should have in order to save money...greed.
ataramprat 3 years ago
What I meant by the comment is that they increased the length of time between each jackscrew lubrication. In hindsight, it isn't worded very well and I would change it if I was doing it again.
BackwoodPictures 3 years ago
This is great animation. You should do more of these types of re-creations.
stvo2009 2 years ago
A very unfortunate instance of poor maintenance records and decision-making.
OceanB333 3 years ago
RIP 4 the victims
AirbusSpotter 3 years ago
Such an emotional song,fits very nicely with this tragic crash. I have flown on the MD-83 on Alaska Airlines a few years later, and I am glad that a lesson has been learned, so that this will never happen again.
Patrickisreallygreat 3 years ago
did the people die from the sudden lose of pressure and altitude or did they die when the aircraft hit the water
B0eing1992 3 years ago
There was no cabin pressure loss since the cabin was intact until impact. They were killed by the impact with the water. The pilots gave it all to save the plane, right up to the last seconds, they never gave up. They are true heroes but the dive was just uncontrollable due to the screw/stab failure.
DVA3952 3 years ago
Good tribute this is heartbreaking to watch. Poor people died due to cost cutting :(
watwabyes 3 years ago
Can this disaster happen again on a 717, 737 and A320?
SkyFox98 3 years ago
Of course if you don't maintain them. This accident was caused by bad maintenance.
DVA3952 3 years ago
I hope the people that decided to ignore the recomendations cant sleep at night knowing they are responsible for all these lives lost. RIP flight 261
keiana77 3 years ago
Thank you for your tribute. In maintenance we get overruled so much and some mechanics only focus on getting the plane back into the air, not the consequences of not doing what NEEDS to be done. The mechanic who told them what needed to be done need not feel guilty... he did his job. The overriding mechanic and the company are to blame. Tech orders exist for a reason... they are ORDERS... not suggestions.
ualtigger 3 years ago
Well done
LQ2DARESQ 3 years ago
so beautiful and respectful to all the passangers and crew my they rest in peace....
bolidenplan 3 years ago
HEY WHATS THE TITLE OF THIS SONG??? :) nice
saszer20 3 years ago
The song is called "Theme from Harry's Game" by "Clannad".
BackwoodPictures 3 years ago
I remember watching the news that week as family members of some passengers were being interviewed. I recall hearing from the parents of a couple and their baby girl, and an adult son, all waiting at the airport, to pick up their loved ones, who would never be seen again. For a few days after, all I could think about were these four individuals as the plane flew out of control into the ocean, and the families they left behind.
Kevierae 3 years ago
im sad :( (crying face)
Elitehero 3 years ago 4
Were any Alaska Airlines maintenance personnel let go because of this crash? This video makes me nervous to fly with them. Yikes.
shooks360 3 years ago
muy triste me da mucha pena verlo por un error tan tonto y estupido se pudieran perder todas esas vidas
CRISTIANANTONIO123 3 years ago
Well, they've improved quite a bit, this crash was pretty long time ago, but not THAT long. After events like this companies always improve their planes and the manufacturers spend millions improving them too.
ChainChomp2 3 years ago
this was on national geographic b4?
tomas805 3 years ago
mayday or air crash investigation
loopy1980 3 years ago
Alaska Airlines has a no time for maintenance works, cuz they needs a lot of money. thats why the people died, thats so sad :(
I saw it right now to the TV, a report about flight 261. I´m never flight with this airline, R.I.P. the victims
khashayar1985 3 years ago 2
that was back then, it was not really the carriers fault. it was their maintanence team's fault
CrazyHermit 3 years ago
it was the pressure put on maintenance by the airline to get the plane in the air and making money
loopy1980 3 years ago
This loss took place right off my parents home when I lived there. I recall the rescue efforts. As an aviation enthusiast...this story really brings sadness to my heart. What an unnecessary and devastating loss.
sewo1015 3 years ago
can't remember the name but it's either by "clannad" or "enya" type in to youtube and you'll find it
robitrest 3 years ago
Clannad - Theme From Harry's Game
Filmsuploader 3 years ago
what is the name of the first song/soundtrack???
lukasz87pl 3 years ago
This was a very touching tribute. Thank you.
Ryan6801 3 years ago
this is a perfect example of crashing into the water, there doesnt seem to be any survivors, i dont see why they teach flight attendants how to evacuate in a water landing? i mean, ok, if they land all nice and smooth, etc etc, but how often does that happen? this video is what happens most of the time in a crash landing in water, you're dead.
sororsd 3 years ago
Yea but a lot of ditchings were survivable, and would you like to fly on a plane where the crew did not receive full training regardless of what might happen.
DVA3952 3 years ago
this video is so sad, i cried when i watched it. the pilots were very brave and way above the level of being professional in that situation. i would be proud to work for this company any day!
xoxooxox
sororsd 3 years ago
Thank you for this video. I worked for AK air and was suppose to be on this plane. 4 of us did not get the vacation time to go but 3 did. We lost 3 close friends and employees that day among the others that were lost. Ameet I think of little mitch every year around this time, may his spirit be with you always.
pea1later1e 3 years ago
i'm so sorry to hear that. it always hurts to lose someone that you're friends with.
MattA2010 3 years ago
if he intentionally went inverted thats brilliant. i wouldn't have thought of going inverted if my stab was stuck great video by the way
1Gaumer 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
fuk you to all airlines and pieces of crap. i can't get on a place no more its every day less safe
sobate83 3 years ago
well, are you aware that flying is still the safest way to travel? if you drive, take a bus, take a boat, or take a train, you are more likely to get into a car/bus accident, derailing, or sinking on one of those 4 than a plane crash.
MattA2010 3 years ago 2
Im surprised you made a comment like that... You obviously have not got a clue.
fluffycheep 3 years ago
its all about money
muszles 3 years ago 2
As a result of this terrible crash Alaska no longer uses MD aircraft on this flight which I take every year. They now use only Boeing aircraft. It was such a terrible loss.
pembroke2 3 years ago
why use them at all? I mean do you know why (just puerto vallarta?) So sad, I use to work for Alaska and Horizon air and was shocked as they had such a super safety record,what a bummer that it was avoidable,bless the ones left behind.
utubeuser1971aok 3 years ago
I used to be a flight attendant and I never liked MD aircraft. This was such a terrible crash.
pembroke2 3 years ago
but it still does not answer why not just phase all of them out?
utubeuser1971aok 3 years ago
Simply because the MD-80 is one of the most reliable aircraft built, it's older, but it's got a hell of a good record. This was Human error, not aircraft error. The aircraft was fine, People make mistakes, after all we're only human. Hopefully this will never happen again.
DoDBacon 3 years ago
Boeing Purchased Mc Donald Douglas, Resulting that all MD Aircraft turned into Boeing.
AirlineCentral 3 years ago
I was in Puerto Vallarta the day the plane arrived. My co-worker was flying in for some fun in the sun and arrived on that plane. I saw this plane before it left. I was also on the beach in Neuvo Vallarta after a jungle tour and waved goodbye to it with a drink in hand. Then, I heard the news the next morning. I'm still in shock and let me tell you that going to the airport the next day and standing where all those poor souls stood was, well, VERY HEAVY.
machanderd 3 years ago
this guy make great videos like his plane crash videos are great with alot of imformation but he isnt posting videos please post
gencobaser 4 years ago
mgr it's frustrating...i know, everyone doesn't worry about how things work..just as long as they work. thanks for talking doing your job and doing it right.
usnmatt 4 years ago
Great video. Its sad that it takes something like this to make changes in safety policies.
coorsbeer93 4 years ago
Great Job BackWoodPictures. Please Post More Videos. That Would Be Appreciated =)
iDonaldDuck 4 years ago
i hope somebody is in jail for this now
rightwingpob 4 years ago
not to bust your bubble swa97 but i am a controller at the POTOMAC CONSOLIDATED TRACON in DC and let me tell ya, southwest pilots suck. they cant hold radials for shit and they cry like little girls when you put them in holding. i had one southwuss pilot who was like "do you know im in the dc ADIZ and i said yes and you have been for the past 12 mins ya dip." long story short flight attendants have no clue what it takes to operate a plane so keep the drinks comming.
mgr6v382 4 years ago
What do you think of Jetblue's pilots?
DVA3952 4 years ago
it makes me mad to know that so many airline accidents could be avoided,but arent.eventually one day we will get on a plane and expect to see our friends and family at the terminal.but all the friends and family are going to see is an officer to come and tell them that their child or sibling has perished in an airplane accident.and nobody will even notice except the ones that really care.like us. r.i.p. flight 261
swa97 4 years ago
ecuse me do u have any idea wat ur talking about. do you know how many flights go on in a day, hundreds of thousands, and 1 maybe crashes every 3 months. i am a pilot and if u think flying is more dangerous then driving, u need to do some research
alaskaairlinespilot 4 years ago
Comment removed
swa97 4 years ago
is that my fault? no. i was replying to your comment that planes crash, when our planes are constantly in the temprature of alaska parts are bound to freeze. dont u get smart with me. flight attenant < pilot
alaskaairlinespilot 4 years ago
Comment removed
swa97 4 years ago
just out of curiousity, are you saying that the plane crashed because parts freeze?
mark6121 4 years ago
no the nut screw caim off
qazchaz 4 years ago
i know, i was replying to the guy who says that the airplanes are in "alaska" and parts freeze. it sounded like he said that was the problem
mark6121 4 years ago
I have lost a total of 3 personal friends, 7 family friends. You never know when an accident will happen until after it has happens. That includes everything from a 182, to a 757. They were all very experienced.
Masren 3 years ago
Where was a plane? Did it become fragments?
JPdayo 4 years ago
Deregulation killed those people. When the US gov. decides to protect the people from profiteers in the airline industry and protect lives (not lifestyles) these accidents will stop............
sundog47 4 years ago
Very well made video.
Sad that ignorance cost 88 ppl their lives.
LNN84 4 years ago 2
Its careless human actions that cause avoidable tradgic accidents like these that really make me sick and disgusted.
The way that some airlines go around cutting costs is really foul.
CrazyDan60 4 years ago 2
So, I'm Dysexic....just to clarify that if you are going to board an aeroplane and not crash into the sea, you need to make sure that you screw Jack?
Tallandcharming 4 years ago
What a tragic waste of human life. Just because a company wanted to save money on maintainance. Just how much does it cost to grease a jackscrew exactly?
john759xtsd 4 years ago 3
The main cost is actually doing it. While it is on the ground, it is not up in the air earning money. Greasing it costs next to nothing. Having it sitting in a hangar not earning money is where the real cost is.
BackwoodPictures 4 years ago
As your title says aviodable alaskan totaly to blame! I feel sorry for the repair guy who was overruled he knew and tried to stop it ,he must think about this tragedy every day!
loshasguy 4 years ago
very tasteful video, Seriously brave Guys. RIP.
ratty383 4 years ago
i completely agree...no words can describe this....only tears...
penguin4554 4 years ago
I also heard/read on the CVR that the airline still wanted them (it seemed to me) to continue on and NOT land at LAX (one pilot even commented "I don't care what it does to the schedule"). It seemed they kept them up there longer than(perhaps) they should have been? of course Hindsight 20/20, Very moving and nice video, as you said RIP to the passengers and crew.
usmctanks1 4 years ago
u knpw how u said heard it like can u give me the link and u know how ur saying its the CVR not the ATC right?
FLT111 4 years ago
from 30,000ft to 17,000ft and it still took them 1 1/2 minute to fall out of the sky and crash into the ocean. they said the md-80 design itself was a failure simply because if anything goes wrong with the stabilizer, there is absolutely no way or back-up plan to recover the aircraft vertically.
Nysasq 4 years ago
You're quite right. The jackscrew had no back up. It had a backup power supply if they main power failed but no backup to the jackscrew itself. The main point in the story, I feel, is that if it had been greased as recommended then it would never have happened. I wouldn't blame Boeing (Who had bought MD by this time) I would blame Alaska Airlines completely.
BackwoodPictures 4 years ago
I became tearful when he said "he just hit the water he's down".
discovercs 4 years ago
Same here.
No words can describe this, only tears.
Another video which I tend to watch is - Transat236 gliding without fuel across the Atlantic, they just made it.
controversy83 4 years ago 2
Let's just hope, that by the grace of god, and by being more careful, we will never hear such transmissions of fate ever again.
May God bless the souls of people and crew that were on board that day.
discovercs 4 years ago
Amazing video. Thank you.
emanzeme 4 years ago
A worthy tribute nicely done,those pilots were so calm and focused they never lost their cool,never give up.
loshasguy 4 years ago
please visit my Youtube account and pl coment my videos thank you and may they rest in peace
FLT111 4 years ago
God is in control!!!
justme228 4 years ago
a truly beautiful and touching video. my heart goes out to all persons involed in this accident. may we learn from this accident and get together to make our skies more safer. thank you
Q53bus 4 years ago 2
I salute those who lost there lives.Thank the lord the FAA passed those rules about making planes safer.
whenwebleatagain 4 years ago 3
@whenwebleatagain,
It should not be necessary that the FAA writes rules in which it states that airlines have to follow the rules.
As long as the word 'mandatory' is still a dirty word in the airline business we will always see these kinds of accidents.
mambo4269 4 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
see my videos
AhlixL 4 years ago
Very well done. My brother's wife's cousin and his newlywed wife were on that plane. They are at peace now. Thank you, my friend.
AWV34 4 years ago
Great Vid Backwoodpictures great way to remember the people who died on that plane. Great tribute. i like the song at the end wat is it called cause it reminds e of my aunt,uncle, and cousins who live in oregon. i really want that song so i could put it on my playlist
EnteiRocks 4 years ago
Hi, the song is "I dont know you anymore" by Savage Garden
dpricedp1 4 years ago
Yeah, I was on a Qatar 777 in business class when the galley caught fire. It consumed two seats in the first class cabin and 6 in the business class cabin. The plane was filled with smoke, and we were all scared to death. This, unlike the Qatar 777 I was on, was COMPLETELY avoidable.
brewdog11 4 years ago
Yep...watch China Airlines Burn into Hell in Okinawa...explosions on the runway...nobady killed...what if..on the air???
burrichello 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
We´ve got a new point here...
Air Accidents Investigation Branch recommended Boeing in 2003 after the Helios 737 run out of oxigen and presurization...to change the wire backup of the air conditioning-presourization valve in all 737´s.
Boeing currently hasn´t responded yet...so:
Each Boeing 737 is just a potential Killing Machine by lazyness of Boeing to change their systems...saving cost???IOL.
burrichello 4 years ago
Your comments are that of somebody that is biased against Americans and the company that has produced more transport aircraft than anyone in the world. Since the 737 is the longest running production aircraft, most produced and operated in the world it makes sense that the odds favor the most fatalities.
Gundog55 4 years ago 2
You obviously aren't aware then that the flight crew on the Helios flight responded incorrectly thinking the warnings they were getting (indicating the loss of pressurization) were telling them their landing gear was not down. Same tone but different format for the annunciation. They did not act correctly for the loss of pressurization, and in fact, the Captain got out of his seat to pull the circuit breaker to silence the warning.
CharlieGolf33 4 years ago 3
Another american crappy plane cutting civil´s lives...
burrichello 4 years ago
Not to be rude, but whould should a pilot be trouble shooting a plane at the behest of other passangers? And the pilots should have set fuck you we are landing at the nearest airport. Clearly, there was something initially wrong with the plabe when it dove at 32,000 feet. Rather than chance it, couldnt the pilot have just landed the plane in LA? It seems that all of the maneuvering with the plane just made it much worse.
Sheels1976 4 years ago
The problem was that the horizontal stabiliser was pushing it towards the ground because the jackscrew wouldn't move. When the plane was flying at 32,000 feet it was obviously flying at a high speed which gave the plane more natural lift. The pilots needed to 'test fly' the plane to ensure that they could keep control of the plane at all speeds. If they had just attempted a landing, they would have found that as they slowed down for landing, the plane would have less left and that coupled
BackwoodPictures 4 years ago
with the faulty stabiliser quite probably would have caused the pilots to crash on the runway and potentially endanger people on the ground. The pilots wanted to get the feel for flying it at a lower speed so they knew what they need to do if they did get to the airport. Even if the pilots had got to LAX, they would have still had a great challenge to land the plane safely. This was also unheard of. I doubt any pilot in the world would have expected there to be no thread on the jackscrew.
BackwoodPictures 4 years ago
I think any pilot would have expected it to have been an electrical problem and would have been able to 'troubleshoot' it. In hindsight, the pilots would have just landed straight away but as I said, this was unheard of. I hope this explains it a little better. I'm no expert however. Apologies for putting this in 3 comments but it has a maximum of 500 characters.
BackwoodPictures 4 years ago
Wow, you sure sound like an expert. lol I guess that makes sense to me now. In a million years, those poor pilots probably did not know that there was no thread on the jackscrew...
Sheels1976 4 years ago
Me? no. I'm no expert. Aviation is more of a hobby. It's amazing what you end up learning from Wikipedia. Hope you enjoyed the video. Just wish I had never had to make it.
BackwoodPictures 4 years ago
so sad
I actually know 3 people who died in that crash, a father and his teenage kids
chubman1845 4 years ago
Good video, and a good way to remember those lives that were lost in the accident. R.I.P.
Njoyflying 4 years ago
I met my wife in December of 1999. One day when at her home in Redlands, CA, we were invited to dinner at her neighbors house, since she had grown up next to this man... this wonderful man was Ted Thompson, Captian of Alaska Flight 261. The family was very brave durriing this incident, he will be missed, as will everyone on board.
JLangevin 4 years ago
I'm a mechanic and would fly on the MD83 any day of the week. Comments like "those jack screws" are irresponsible and wrong. I've worked on the MD83 and I know the jackscrew. The MD83, nor the stabilizer actuator mechanism, are defective. This was the result of overriding a mechanic's recommendations. And Alaska is removing the MD83 from service because it's becoming hard to support them, not because they're dangerous.
AirCargoHeavy 4 years ago 2
Beautiful video.. still don't know why MD 80 and other MD products are flying with Non redundant systems on board.. those Jack screws can give way at any time.. and there is nothing in place to over compensate.. I am so sorry for the crew who fought to regain and the familes who were affected by this. I am also finally glad Alaska has finally pulled all MD aircraft.
twister444 4 years ago
I cried and cried. That was a most miserable time for Alaska Employees and their families. The public forgot that they were employees friends, families and coworkers on that plane. That those of us working, it could have been us or our families easily. As an ASA flight attendant, I know we have the best pilots and that is why I continue flying
kimberlyhoffpauir 4 years ago
You work for ASA? Altantic Southeast Airlines? My next video was going to be on ASA flight 529. Another accident that I feel the pilots did a tremendous job and saved many lives.
BackwoodPictures 4 years ago
No I work for Alaska. It's their airline code. That is why this video was especially touching. We are a small airline and I had personally worked in Customer Service in SFO with the customer service agent who died on that plane. I have chosen after as261 and 9/11 to still be a flight attendant. I have been flying for over 5 years now.
kimberlyhoffpauir 4 years ago
i am a pilot for alaska air, cargo
alaskaairlinespilot 4 years ago
bless the pilots they did all they could.....by the way whats the song very nice
Grahamfunnyman 4 years ago
what are the names of the tracks used in the piece?
Silverwings1991 4 years ago
The main track is called "Theme from Harry's Game" by "Clannad". The track at the end was "I don't know you anymore" by "Savage Garden".
BackwoodPictures 4 years ago
Hi Both my mother and father were on this flight. I was only 16 years old. Thank you for a great video. It was tasteful and respectful. Thank you and God bless!
TheRockChurchMonroe 4 years ago
God bless you, and always remember your parents are now your Angels. You are strong, i don't think I would have made it through something of this magnitude.
Silverwings1991 4 years ago
Please, I thank you for this comment and my deepest sympathies to you. I just wish that I never had to make the video. I feel so deeply disgusted that this accident happened, that I wanted everyone to know the truth.
BackwoodPictures 4 years ago
as a current pilot for alaska air i am deeply sorry for you loss.
may they R.I.P they will always be with you
alaskaairlinespilot 4 years ago 2
Those Pilots were pro's to the very end and never gave up,even when the plane was inverted they continued to do everything they could.I would of never been able to keep a level head like they did.What a shame to save the corporate pig a few bux on grease.God Bless all of them.
koolbossjock 4 years ago
just wish the airline wouldnt destroy these beautiful md080s this year, only 10 left in the fleet this year from the original 44
CrazyHermit 4 years ago
I salute to the pilots for their effort trying to control the plane. A moment of silence
kggoh 4 years ago
Yes crazy hermet I was a UM a RECOVERY worker.
Any further questions?
bmarrufo 4 years ago
This was a great video, sucks though that it even had to be made. One of the passengers of this flight was the brother of one of my high school teachers.
placekicker 4 years ago
hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, thanks.
radcam69 4 years ago
Son of a gun, GOD BLESS AMERICA
ajnva1982 5 years ago
I was a Forensic recovery worker for DMORT 9. I was
assigned to a Salvage/Recovery ship for 1 month...
long mission. Damn Jackscrew!!!!
marrufobuilt 5 years ago
um? where u part of the team that recovered flight 261's wreck after it crashed?
CrazyHermit 4 years ago
my dad knew a flight attendant on the plane that went to our church. that was very sad that she died
CrazyHermit 5 years ago
i used to work for alaska airlines and this tragic story still haunts this airline...so many workers were on the aircraft...may GOD rest their aouls
tiffanieonline 5 years ago
Nicely done. I believe two infants were on the plane. God Bless them all.
HelterSkelter20 5 years ago
There was actually an entire family of 5 on this plane, Mother, Father, 2 children, and a new born.
JLangevin 4 years ago