Until The Very END! The Tragic Story of Alaska Airlines flight 261

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There was an Alaska Airlines lead mechanic at their Oakland maintenance facility named John Liotine who on September 7 / 1997 (~2 years and 4 months before the accident) recommended replacement of the jack screw assembly on the accident aircraft because it was just barely within acceptable limits for wear and in his opinion would be out of limits by the next check. His recommendation was overruled by a manager on September 30 after a different mechanic said the jack screw wear was within limits. Liotine was very concerned about fraudulent maintenance practices at Alaska airlines and had contacted the FAA to raise his concerns. In response the FAA "raided" Alaska airlines in December 1998 to seize maintenance records. As a result Liotine was put on paid leave in August 1999 for being "disruptive". He eventually sued Alaska Airlines for libel and the suit was settled in his favor (for $500K) but as part of the settlement he was forced to resign his employment with Alaska Airlines. Doing a bit of searching about John Liotine's career with Alaska Airlines makes for very interesting reading... The world needs more people with the integrity of John Liotine. While his efforts ultimately did not prevent the accident I consider him as another of the heroes along with the flight crew of Alaska 261.

"At least upside down we're flying!" That must be the most badass, fate-defying quote i have ever heard. Seriously, this guy had balls of steel. Never lost his cool, his will or his sense of humor. I can only aspire to live with such character.

As a 12k hour pilot and after watching many of your excellent but often very sad videos, this was the first one that made me tear up. You can't help imagining what you yourself would do in that horrific situation, and heaven forbid if something similar happened to me, I hope I can show at least half as much mettle, bravery and fortitude in my last minutes as those pilots displayed. RIP to them, and to all aboard.

I lost a friend on that flight. He was an amazing guy, class president and a friend of everyone. He was with his wife and two little girls. Devastating to all the families and friends of all of the victims.😢

The Captain’s decision to invert the aircraft to counteract the horizontal stabilizer is a testament to his iron will and refusal to give up in this hopeless situation. These pilots are truly heroes who were left for dead by their organization. Very sad

"Here we go" is such a chilling and badass final statement from a pilot who never gave up and fought to the bitter end. Having the courage to even say something like that when faced with imminent death speaks volumes about his character. Reminds me of that classic quote: "Do not go quietly into that goodnight. Rage, rage against the dying of the light".

This particular captain is and always will be my hero. If I'd ever to go down, I want go to go down like he did. Beating the crap out of fate until the very end. Rest in piece you awesome tigers.

After 37 years as an air traffic controller, and unfortunately having been on the other end of the radio for numerous emergencies, and tragic events. I have great respect for the composure and courage of pilots in extreme circumstances.

There are always 2 things I think of when I recall this accident: 1. how the passengers must have felt flying upside down straight into the sea below and 2. what the absolute heroes and professionals these pilots were! They stayed calm and tried to save their aircraft against all odds. True legends! RIP to all on board and thank you again Petter for your hard work! Greetings from Poland ❤

The fact that they never gave up shows amazing airmenship! Horrific accident and may all those who lost their life's in this tragedy rest in peace 😥❤️

I had the privilege to fly with Ted and Bill many times. They were consummate professionals and always took care of their crews. It was an awful, horrific day for our Alaska family. We will never forget their bravery all the loved ones who were lost.

John Liotine was one of my instructors at the Aviation Academy that I attended and was one of the best instructors I was privileged to study under.

This was particularly heartbreaking because the pilots tried so hard. It's incredible they achieved some degree of stability by actually flying the plane upside down. May all their souls rest in peace

I def teared up with his last words being so humble "here we go" like it was just his next adventure. And i hope hes living that next adventure now. Watched several videos like this but this one got me at the teamwork displayed and efforts made by these two heros.

Captain Ted Thompson was very happy to be given the PVR-SFO run. He had rung the operations centre requesting to be on this flight so he could be home in time for his sons water polo game. First Officer Tansky was to retire in early 2002 and had plans to take leisurely walks with his wife Bonnie of 30 years and start up a small business through the internet. Great airmen both.

My girlfriend had an emergency landing on Alaska flight 367 about three weeks ago from Milwaukee to Seattle. There was an indication light that there was a fire in one of the wheel wells. Thankfully they landed safely with no evidence of a fire found, but only hearing from the pilot say "prepare for emergency landing" and then "brace for impact" gave her some emotional trauma for a few days. I cant possibly even begin to imagine what those passengers felt like in those last moments. 😥

Ted and Bill were the most professional pilots I have ever met. I trusted them with my life on numerous occasions, and it was the right choice. I strongly believe that everyone on that flight had the best because they were flying. However, the fact that Alaska Airlines was too cheap to prioritize their safety, as well as mine, is what ultimately led to their tragic deaths. I used to catch a ride with them on morning flights to LAX. The plane was usually not crowded on that leg, and I flew frequently enough to occasionally get upgraded to the front. This was back before 9/11 when the cockpit door was often kept open, allowing us to hang out and talk before takeoff. Both Ted and Bill had military backgrounds (not together) and were exceptional pilots. I was on a flight from LAX to Oakland when we witnessed the aircraft that would later be identified as Flight 261 (though I didn't know it at the time) going down. I lost friends in that incident, and I am still filled with anger toward Alaska Airlines. I have not forgiven them. Let me emphasize once again – Ted and Bill were the best pilots I ever knew.

One of the saddest ones. Those pilots were heroes who were completely betrayed by their company management. It's an absolute outrage that nobody went to jail for this.

This one brought tears to my eyes. The pilots seemed to do everything right but the situation was too cruel. The loss of such skilled pilots in a situation like that is especially bitter.