Tail Problems

Many airline crashes that seem to make headlines often report tail or rudder problems prior to the accident. Alaska Airlines Flight 261 is the latest of such occurrences. The accident is believed to have been caused by a jammed tail stablizer (Washington Post Feb. 4, 2000). However such problems are unusual and back-up procedures can be initiated if needed (USA TODAY Feb. 3, 2000). The question which emerges from these instances is what actually causes the tail problems?

Military Testing

What has not been reported by the mainstream media is Flight 261 veered into close proximity to a restricted zone known as Restricted Area R-2519 controlled by Naval Air Station Point Mugu (SIGHTINGS "Alaska Airlines Flight 261 - Oddly Haunting Questions"). Further, this area is known to conduct high-tech weapons testing that is dangerous to commercial aircraft (ibid). What may be speculated is that the airplane was struck by an object or objects which subsequently CAUSED the stablizer to malfunction and thereby cause the crash (ibid). Additionally, two loud bangs were heard in the rear of the plane prior to its plunge into the Pacific Ocean (MSNBC.COM "Loud Noises Heard Before Crash).

Shocking SIGHTINGS Video

Perhaps the answer to this crash and that of others may be explained by obscure video footage captured by an episode of SIGHTINGS whereby an innocent bystander inadvertently camcorded an object which "tagged" the tail section of an airliner in flight. The video clearly shows a small round shiny object overtake a commercial airplane, strike it on the tail section and bounce off. Incredible! Is this a new military weapon? Is it a new and improved way of committing assassinations with the age-old tactic of "making it look like an accident"? If so, it would be interesting to investigate the passenger list and find out if any members had any political views which the government or some other entity did not approve. Or perhaps the people of Flight 261 among others were merely guinea pigs to advanced weapons testing. The answers to these questions may lie with the dead passengers in the high waves of the Pacific.

Latest Update

Investigators have recently stated that radar blips were detected which indicate something from the airplane of Flight 261 may have fallen off (CNN.COM "NTSB Says Piece of Alaska Plane May Have Broken Off"). The "radar appeared to show a separate, smaller image paralleling the main image of the jet as it dropped from the sky" (ibid). Is that radar blip a piece of the plane as investigators have speculated, or is it that small round "airline killer" captured on the SIGHTINGS video? Very interesting.

Another question which baffles investigators is why so many recent airline crashes occurred while at cruising speed and altitudes. "Most accidents and fatalities happen during approach, landing, or takeoff" (CNN.COM "Experts Say No Common Thread In In-Flight Crashes"). Yet in Flight 261 "the aircraft no doubt was cruising along minding its own business....when it got into some problems" (ibid).

Speculation

Can all these questions be accounted for by a small metallic object which hits (makes a loud audible bang to passengers and crew) the tail section (thereby jamming the stablizer), and is visible on radar (as falling debris of course)? Makes one wonder....