Animation of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 Plane Crash

This three-dimensional animated accident reconstruction shows the final pitch-over and initial portion of the dive for Alaska Airlines Flight 261, which crashed off of Point Hueneme, CA on January 31, 2000. The reconstruction exhibits information selected from the Flight Data Recorder, excerpts from the Cockpit Voice Recorder transcript, recorded radar data and aircraft performance data. This reconstruction does not depict the weather or visibility conditions at the time of the accident.

The animation shows a three-dimensional model of the airplane and its motion. Selected comments from the Cockpit Voice Recorder transcript are superimposed as text at the time they occurred. The time of day (based on the FAA's Air Traffic Control radar data) and aircraft altitude in feet are depicted as text.

The animation begins with the crew discussing possible mechanical damage to the longitudinal control system and a decision to land at Los Angeles International Airport. The aircraft pitched nose down shortly after the crew redeployed flaps and slats. The animation ends with the crew's declaration of "MAYDAY".

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Alaska
• Airlines
• Flight
• 261
• Plane
• Crash
• plane
• crash
• ntsb
• animation

[Slaterator]

The plane doomed because of a maintenance failure. The pilots did an awesome job till the sad end. They did the right thing. They tried to troubleshoot a problem wich could not be solved by them. But they did not know that. I know, they did not want to die, to crash the plane. That´s a fact. They were unaware of what went wrong with that aircraft. They just tried to do the best they could to safe the passengers, the crew and themselves to come back home. For me, they are heroes ! RIP !!!

[iceman1765]

I worked for Horizon Air at the time and lost 3 very close friends that I worked with on the ramp in SEA..some of the banter here is uncalled for..have some respect for those who lost loved ones that might view this...I am not trying to be mean..but think how you would feel. Especially since it is almost the anniversary of the crash.

[mrceebees14]

@blueb0g I can totally understand that, but can you imagine what it must of sounded like? Horrific can't even come close to describing it.

[blueb0g]

@mrceebees14 Because that was deemed as non pertinent information and is so not included on the transcripts. The important information is shown here; the attitude and altitude of the aircraft, the pertinent conversation between the pilots, and any indicative ambient sounds. Nothing else.

[mrceebees14]

@blueb0g But the people in the documentaries I have seen ALL talk about hearing people screaming like crazy, none of that is heard.

[blueb0g]

@mrceebees14 This is an NTSB animation, all data is taken from the FDR and the CVR (the black boxes), this is exactly what happened.

[snogglewort1]

Fucking trolls leaving comments. On HERE of all places, I mean really? Jesus Christ there really is no hope.

[baychecks100]

uh last words were 'here we go'

[mrceebees14]

The plane pushed down THAT fast or are you embellishing it a bit?

[glennjridge]

@Power1Productions1 your right....if you have mechanical problems on a car while driving you can usually pull over...or have some semblance you are in control of your fate ...on an airplane, you are hundres of feet up and if something goes wrong on top of most likely dying.,..your going to experience a 3 minute horror ride on the way down.

[Power1Productions1]

this is why I'm afraid to fly. I don't care if you've got a bigger chance of being in a car accident, most people survive a car accident.

[CHOADspewer]

@261mylove

it's animated....so I'm thinking SpongeBob would be sitting beside me, along with Barney at the controls.

Yabba Dabba Doooooo!!!!