Unidentified relatives or friends (far L) of an Al

SAN FRANCISCO, UNITED STATES: Unidentified relatives or friends (far L) of an Alaska Airlines Flight 261 passenger attempt to sheild themselves from the media while being escorted by grief counselors (2nd R, and R, in uniforms) at San Francisco International Airport 31 January. Alaska airlines Flight 261 carrying at least 70 people plummeted into the Pacific Ocean 40 miles northwest of the Los Angeles airport. The MD-80 aircraft was heading from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to San Francisco and later to Seattle. ....An unidentified relative or friend (2nd L, ,and) of an Alaska Airlines Flight 261 passenger is escorted by an unidentifed woman (2nd R) at San Francisco's international airport after learning that the airliner plummeted into the Pacific Ocean 32 kms(20 miles) northwest of Los Angeles International Airport 31 January 2000. The plane crashed upside down with 88 people aboard, after the pilot reported a mechanical problem, aviation and airline officials said. Family and friends were escorted to a private area of the airport by officials. AFP PHOTO John G. MABANGLO AFP PHOTO/John G. MABANGLO (Photo credit should read JOHN G. MABANGLO/AFP via Getty Images)