When a 22‑inch Screw Killed 88: The Jackscrew That Failed Flight 261

Aviation Survival Stories · Sep 12, 2026 · 18m

When a 22‑inch Screw Killed 88: The Jackscrew That Failed Flight 261

A small sundial in Port Hueneme marks 4:22 PM on January 31-the exact minute 88 people hit the Pacific Ocean after Alaska Airlines Flight 261 lost pitch control. Investigators found a 22‑inch jackscrew with 90% of its threading worn away and almost no lubrication-how did maintenance decisions let that happen?

In this episode, we tell the story of Alaska Airlines Flight 261 and the mechanical and procedural failures that led to the loss of control on January 31, 2000. You’ll hear how maintenance records, a seized federal…