DIVING straight into the Pacific! What went wrong on Alaska Airlines Flight 261?

The Tragic Fight for Survival: The Story of Alaska Airlines Flight 261

On the afternoon of January 31st, 2000, Alaska Airlines Flight 261 embarked on what should have been a routine flight from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to Seattle, Washington. Onboard were 83 passengers and five crew members, most of whom were holidaymakers returning from sunny Mexico to the rainy northwest United States. But this seemingly ordinary flight would soon turn into a desperate battle for survival.

The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-83, began its journey under the control of two highly experienced pilots: Captain Ted Thompson and First Officer William Tansky. Both men had impeccable records—Captain Thompson, with over 177,000 flight hours and extensive experience in the MD-80 series, and First Officer Tansky, a veteran of over 8,000 hours flying the same aircraft type.

As the flight departed from Puerto Vallarta, everything appeared normal. However, unknown to the pilots, a critical mechanical issue was already in the making—a flaw that would soon endanger the lives of everyone aboard.

The First Signs of Trouble

Just after takeoff, as Flight 261 climbed through 23,400 feet, the pilots were alerted by a warning light indicating a malfunction with the aircraft's stabilizer. This vital part of the plane is responsible for maintaining balance during flight. A failure of the stabilizer could have catastrophic consequences, and as the warning persisted, the pilots quickly realized that the autopilot was unable to adjust the stabilizer’s position.

For a plane to climb or descend smoothly, the stabilizer must be adjusted continuously to help the aircraft maintain proper flight control. The MD-80's stabilizer was controlled by electrical motors, but something was wrong. The motors appeared to have failed, and the stabilizer had become stuck in a position that made it increasingly difficult to control the plane.

Captain Thompson and First Officer Tansky immediately began troubleshooting. They tried multiple procedures to correct the issue, including using the plane’s trim switches and manually adjusting the stabilizer.

However, their efforts were in vain. As they continued their attempts to fix the stabilizer, they were unaware that inside the tail of the plane, the aircraft’s jack screw—the mechanism that controls the stabilizer’s movement—was severely damaged. The threads inside the jack screw had worn down significantly, and the nut that it rotated had become tangled with damaged threads.

This seemingly small issue would soon escalate into a life-threatening situation.

Desperation in the Sky

Despite their best efforts, the pilots were unable to free the stabilizer. As the plane continued its ascent, the aircraft became more difficult to control. First Officer Tansky was forced to apply an overwhelming amount of force—up to 50 pounds—just to keep the plane climbing. Every attempt to fix the problem failed, and the pilots realized they were flying a dangerously compromised aircraft.

Around 31,000 feet, the situation worsened. The jack screw, which had been slowly deteriorating over previous flights, had now completely failed. The stabilizer was stuck in a nose-down position, making it increasingly difficult to maintain control of the plane.

At this point, the pilots were on their own, with no solution on the horizon. Alaska Airlines maintenance personnel offered no assistance, and the crew was forced to continue the flight towards San Francisco despite the worsening conditions.

The Race Against Time

With the stabilizer jammed and the plane becoming increasingly uncontrollable, the pilots decided to change course, opting to divert to Los Angeles instead of continuing to San Francisco.

This was a critical decision. While the closer airport was in Los Angeles, and the weather conditions were more favorable there, the crew knew that they could not continue the flight in its current state without a risk of catastrophic failure.

As Flight 261 approached Los Angeles, the plane entered a terrifying dive. The aircraft plummeted toward the ocean at a horrifying rate, diving at speeds of over 6,000 feet per minute. Passengers screamed in fear as the g-forces from the rapid descent slammed them into their seats, and objects flew uncontrollably through the cabin.

The pilots were now in a desperate fight for survival. The plane continued to gain speed as it descended toward the Pacific Ocean. The captain and first officer struggled to maintain control, with the cockpit shaking violently from the intense forces.

At one point, Captain Thompson mistakenly thought the plane was stalling and urged the first officer to reduce pressure on the controls. But the plane wasn’t stalling—it was simply plummeting uncontrollably.

The Final Moments

In an attempt to save the aircraft, the pilots made a last-ditch effort to regain control by performing a maneuver that would involve flipping the aircraft upside down. This would briefly relieve pressure from the jammed stabilizer and give the pilots a chance to reposition it.

It was a desperate move, and though they successfully flipped the aircraft onto its back, the plane could not be stabilized in time.

With the aircraft pitching at an almost vertical angle, the pilots knew their options were limited. The engines began to sputter, and the plane began to lose altitude rapidly.

The pilots extended the speed brakes in a final attempt to slow down, but the speed of descent was too great. It became clear that there was no way to prevent the plane from crashing.

As the aircraft neared the ocean, Captain Thompson said, “Here we go,” before the plane slammed into the water, killing all 88 people onboard.

The Aftermath

The crash of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 was devastating, but it was also tragically preventable. The cause of the crash lay in a series of poor decisions and cost-cutting measures taken by Alaska Airlines. 

The airline had reduced the frequency of maintenance checks on critical components like the jack screw assembly, a part that had previously been flagged for potential issues. Additionally, there were concerns about the airline’s maintenance culture, including allegations of falsified maintenance records.

The disaster highlighted the deadly consequences of corporate greed and inadequate safety protocols. The crash led to sweeping changes in the aviation industry, including modifications to the design of aircraft to prevent single points of failure like the malfunctioning stabilizer.

Airlines were also required to shorten maintenance intervals for critical components, and new procedures were implemented to ensure that pilots diverted to safer airports if they encountered significant flight control problems.

In recognition of their heroic efforts, Captain Ted Thompson and First Officer William Tansky were posthumously awarded the Airline Pilots Association Gold Medal for Heroism. Their decision to keep the plane over the ocean, away from populated areas, prevented an even greater disaster on the ground.

Conclusion

The story of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 is one of heroism, desperation, and ultimately tragedy. The pilots fought valiantly against an aircraft that was, unbeknownst to them, on the brink of disaster.

Their relentless efforts to save the plane and its passengers are a testament to their professionalism and courage. Unfortunately, the disaster also serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of cost-cutting measures and corporate negligence, which can turn what should be a routine flight into a life-or-death struggle.