http://www.time.com/time/archive/pre...144979,00.html

Sep. 15, 1986.
Private Pilot Jim Campbell, flying at 1,500 ft. near Los Angeles, could
not believe his eyes. Looking up, he saw a flash of light 1 1/2 miles
off to the left of his aircraft. The fireball turned into a plume of
black smoke, and Campbell watched in horror as a huge DC-9 airliner
dropped its nose and rolled to its left. Twisting upside down, the
wounded aircraft picked up speed as it plunged toward earth. " Oh!"
shouted Campbell to himself. " Pull her up. Pull her up. Oh, pull her
up!" In the cockpit of Aeromexico Flight 498, Pilot Arturo Valdes Prom
was helpless. Glistening behind him in the noonday sun...