Alaska Airlines Flight 261 was a scheduled passenger flight from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to San Francisco, California. On January 31, 2000, the flight was operated using a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 aircraft. Shortly after departure and while climbing, the pilots reported issues related to the horizontal stabilizer, which is critical for maintaining the aircraft's pitch control. As the flight progressed, the crew attempted to troubleshoot the problem. However, the stabilizer malfunction led to the loss of control of the aircraft. In a tragic sequence of events, the MD-83 crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Point Mugu, California, killing all 88 individuals aboard, which included 83 passengers and 5 crew members.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched a thorough investigation to analyze the events leading to this tragic accident. Their findings revealed that the horizontal stabilizer had likely been subject to improper maintenance and had developed a mechanical failure, which contributed directly to the accident. The NTSB's report suggested that inadequate preventive maintenance procedures played a significant role in the series of failures that occurred during the flight. As a result, recommendations for heightened scrutiny in maintenance practices for similar aircraft were implemented across the industry.

The tragedy prompted discussions not only within the aviation industry but also among regulatory bodies and aviation safety advocates, emphasizing the critical importance of maintenance protocols. Changes were made to ensure the reliability of aircraft systems, focusing on the role of preventive maintenance in preventing similar accidents in the future. The loss of Flight 261 would resonate through the industry as a somber reminder of the delicate balance between human oversight and mechanical reliability in aviation.