On January 31, 2000 Alaska Airlines Flight 261 plunged into the Pacific Ocean near the Channel Islands off the beautiful beaches of Southern California. The aircraft was a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 on a scheduled flight from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to Seattle, Washington, with an intermediate stop at San Francisco. All eighty-eight passengers and crew aboard the aircraft were killed, many lost at sea.
This accident is one of the most written about in recent memory, mainly because it was determined to be caused by a mechanical failure that could have been prevented. A simple jackscrew mechanism that controlled stabilator trim on the aircraft failed – resulting in a total loss of pitch control. The aircraft plunged nose first into the water, despite all efforts to regain control of the aircraft by the flight crew. This tragic loss was due to a failure to perform routine maintenance by Alaska Airlines and a failure to conduct adequate oversight of maintenance by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Sundial Memorial at Port Hueneme Beach Park is a beautiful combination of remembrance of the dead and a vision of hope for the living. Designed by Santa Barbara artist James “Bud” Bottom, the memorial consists of a 20 foot diameter base and an 11-foot tall bronze arm. The names of the victims are found on bronze plaques circling the base. Every year, on January 31st, at the exact time of the crash, the shadow caused by the bronze arm darkens a special plaque on the sundial’s face.
Port Hueneme was the base of operations for recovery efforts after the crash. On the one year anniversary on the crash, a boat from Port Hueneme ferried family members to the crash site near Anacapa Island. The boat was surrounded by a pod of approximately 1,000 dolphins at the crash site – an enduring memory for all those on that ferry that day.
Dolphins, according to legend, help transport the souls of people lost at sea. Attached to the bronze arm of the sundial are dolphins, free of the water and soaring high. It’s a most fitting image on a memorable memorial…
Carol Smith said:
Beautifully written, beautifully remembered… your words are salve to hurting hearts, just as is this memorial.
Geri Shanks Thurber said:
It has taken me years to be able to see what really happened to my sister Allison and the others. I was filled with hate for too long. I NO LONGER CAN HATE! This sundial is beautiful.
I now have the courage to go and see it and know
that my sister is at peace. Thank you.
Carol Roberg said:
As a police chaplain with the Pt. Hueneme Police department, I am honored to be present at this moving event and to offer hope to the families of this tragic accident. God bless you
Verna Galindo said:
My thoughts & prayers are with the families who lost loved ones. And though several years have passed, I do remember this day well. I went to the candlelight vigil on the beach & lit a candle & laid white roses on makeshift memorial. Many people were there, it was beautiful to see our community gather to say prayers & pay their respects for the souls who lost their lives & their families. May God bless you all, always! Hugs….
P.S.
I can share pictures with those who wish to have a pic of the memorial. Some are during sunsets & are very beautiful.
Madelien Calleros said:
My thoughts and prayers are with the families
who lost loved ones. Especially the Prasad
Family. I will always miss their beloved son,
Anjesh. Wish I were with you today on this
19th anniversary. May God bless you all!
US NAVY SeaBee's said:
I served in the U.S. Navy Sea Bee’s ((NMCB-5)along
with other naval units in the search and recovery of this tragic event, never will I forget the passengers and air crew of this flight. Me heart goes out to all affected.