“On 31 January 2000, Alaska Airlines Flight 261’s trimmable horizontal stabilizer jams and breaks free from its control system. The aircraft dives inverted into the Pacific Ocean, causing the death of all on board. The stabilizer failed due to an improperly maintained jack-screw assembly.” (Mayday, Season 1, Episode 5)

Option A

Write a cause/effect essay that analyzes the different factors that contributed to the plane crash and identifies the main culprit(s).

Option B

Compare and contrast the plane crash to another famous disaster (of your choice) that was caused by equipment malfunction.