Key Moments of Alaska Flight 261: Pilots Analyze Cockpit Voice Recorder.

News Desk

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2000

Here are some key moments from the cockpit voice recorder for Alaska Flight 261 as identified by Capt. Tom Kemp, Alaska's MD-80 fleet captain, and First Officer Ben Forrest, Alaska's Boeing 737 assistant fleet captain.

-- Not long after departing from Puerto Vallarta on Jan. 31, pilots Captain
Thompson and First Officer Tansky encountered an inoperative horizontal
stabilizer -- a manageable, non-emergency condition that pilots are well
trained to deal with. While unable to get the stabilizer's leading edge to
move, they were able to use the aircraft's primary flight controls to offset
the stabilizer's nose-down condition. They proceeded uneventfully for two
hours.

-- At 4:03 pm, the pilots informed dispatch that they would divert to Los
Angeles International Airport rather than continue to their scheduled
destination, San Francisco.

-- At about 4:10 pm, off the coast of Southern California, the pilots attempted
to use the primary and back-up trim switches that control the horizontal
stabilizer. Shortly after, the aircraft nosed over and descended from 31,000
feet to 24,500 feet in about 60 seconds.

-- With the aircraft reaching speeds that rendered the aircraft's deflected
elevators ineffective, the pilots pushed the yoke forward, easing the
aerodynamic pressure on the elevators. This action reestablished control to the
tail flight control surfaces. At 24,000 feet the pilots reported to Air Traffic
Control that they had regained some control of the aircraft. During the
descent, the pilots transmitted the emergency transponder beacon code to Air
Traffic Control (ATC).

-- Captain Thompson made a reassuring announcement to passengers relating the
intention to divert the aircraft and land in Los Angeles.

-- Captain Thompson and First Officer Tansky then discussed the situation and
made a conscious decision to maneuver the aircraft over the bay and avoid
populated areas while they continued to problem-solve and complete preparations
for a subsequent landing.

-- First flight attendant Allison Shanks then entered the flight deck and
calmly related a report of a loud bang heard in the back of the aircraft.
Captain Thompson thanked her for the information and asked her to return to the
cabin and have everyone seated and buckled in.

-- A few minutes later, as part of the process to determine the level of
controllability they would have when landing, the pilots deployed the wings'
slats and flaps -- devices that extend the wing surface in order to slow the
aircraft and provide the additional lift needed for landing.

-- Unable to gain the control they sought, the pilots then retracted slats and
flaps and together made the decision to land as soon as possible given the
critical nature of the situation.

-- During a subsequent extension of the flaps and slats, a loud noise was heard
on the CVR; this is believed to be the result of a catastrophic failure of the
aircraft's jackscrew. The aircraft's nose immediately pitched down and the
aircraft rolled inverted. The pilots continued to fly the aircraft in an
inverted position for 40 seconds, attempting to right the aircraft while
verbalizing procedures and control responses.

-- At about 7,000 feet, the aircraft rolled a quarter turn and hit the water
about 30 seconds later, at 4:21 pm.

-- Throughout the flight, the pilots displayed incredible poise,
resourcefulness and professionalism.

Alaska Airlines is the nation's 10th largest carrier, serving 43 cities in the U.S. and Mexico. More information about the carrier can be found at http://newsroom.alaskaair.com.