DIVING towards the Pacific! Alaska 261

Chat with me here! 🙌

----

January 31st, 2000

The pilots of an Alaska Airlines MD-80 fight desperately for control, as their aircraft careens towards the Pacific ocean with terrifying speed. No matter what they do, they cannot seem to pull their plane out of its dive. Passengers scream, and loose objects are thrown to the ceiling by the g-forces. Will the pilots recover from this fall and make it to Los Angeles, just a few miles away, or will they lose their fight, against their deranged aircraft?

This is the story of Alaska Airlines flight 261.

----

Final report:

----

[GreenDotAviation]

Grab Atlas VPN for just $1.70/mo + 6 months extra before the

[Gramr]

Saying "Here we go" while looking at the face of death is such a badass statement. He never stopped fighting until the very end. I tip my hat for this flight crew.

[justinvanevenhoven]

As a mechanic, this and JAL 123 are burned into my memory about what could happen if I don't do my part.

[oxcart]

I saw an interview with one of the investigators. She was still distraught over it and crying. Saying that the grease was about equal to the cost of a cup of coffee.

[agarcia]

The way the pilots were actually able to fly inverted, even if only for a few moments, was absolutely remarkable.

[jez]

The most galling thing about this one is that the Alaska Airlines execs weren't hauled over the coals and made an example of. Their attitude towards maintenance was so bad it was basically murderous.

[TheBookRefuge]

This one is so hard. I've watched this flight breakdown a few times on different channels.. this one was SO preventable and so tragic. 😢 Those pilots worked so hard and fought right to the end. Respect and may they rest in peace.

[TheBenjaporn]

Really shocked that Alaskan Airlines was able to survive as a company after this one. I've watched a lot of these aviation disaster videos, and I don't think I've seen another one (based in the US at least) where company incompetence are 100% to blame for the accident.

[ZombieSazza]

This one was extremely preventable and frustrating, dispatch trying to pressure them, maintenance brushing them off, they were in so much danger and the company had a blasé attitude, it just hurts. God they were all brave in the end, I’m not sure I could face the same situation with that much bravery and grace.

[legit_potato]

I remember in A&P school my instructors told us about this specific crash as a warning. Not necessarily on why you have to be diligent in your work. Rather, there will come a time where you’ll be pressured to cut corners. (It’s happened to me personally when I became a mechanic) The correct response to being pressured like that is just just say “I’m not doin it if I don’t get the time to make sure it’s right”

[nahteo]

I was on the stand-by list for this flight. On a whim, we decided to stay in Mexico an extra two days. Those pilots are hero's, never stopped aviating, never stopped flying the airplane with tremendous skill and bravery.

[philippdckm]

that 737 Max sidenote at 23:50 is pure gold

[Xtariz]

ATT reply with "Ok" That's the ok with the most emotions I've heard

[kendee]

I'm an aircraft mechanic. Started my career with US Air Force and now have my A&P. I HATED doing the pitch trim lubes on C-5s when I was young. My supervisor saw through that and showed me the case study of this crash. I've never taken a single wash and lube job for granted since then!

New subscriber. Glad I found this channel. Best Aviation-related channel in YT. I thougt I paid for Premium for a second there lol.

[amelichtel]

Accidents like this always get to me the most, when there is not any human failure on the pilots side involved, but rather full blown technical issues not even the most experienced pilots with the most spotless records have any control over. Also, the airline simply shaking off their serious situation irritated me lots; how negligent can one get? Just a little bit less greed would have kept all the souls onboard safe.

On another note, the quality of your videos has improved so much! More detailed graphics, animations and explanations. I am loving this! :)

[_Feyd-Rautha]

Every time I hear this story I find myself rooting for the pilots, like the outcome could be different. Sigh. Heros.

[unspcfd]

That "Here we go" hit hard. I know the capt had no regrets and did all he knew and all he can to save the plane. It also hurted me to think that no matter how hard they tried, even if they were the best of the best, they wont even survive it due to the negligence of the company. RIP heroes

[plantfreeOG]

I knew a Seattle couple who perished on this flight while returning home from their honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta. I was so spooked by this, I have yet to fly Alaska Airlines again to this day and their oversights still anger me. I can only imagine what they went through during the last few moments of their lives, so young with so much ahead for them. Incredible and detailed report, many thanks.

[floortap]

I hate this story and Alaska Airlines for allowing it to take place. But I love that their failures and neglect will NEVER be forgotten thanks to channels like yours. And the pilots absolute professionalism and attempt to keep flying the airplane until the bitter end. Reality is a hell of a drug

[nataliemamo]

The pilots were badass. They literally did everything they could have with the knowledge they had. The level of calmness in the ATC recordings is amazing.