Looking back to that horrible day in Cerritos

There was a nice, neighborly vibe at this morning's 25-year remembrance of the horrific midair collision over Cerritos. Lots of smiles and hugs - some folks hadn't seen each other in years. On Aug. 31, 1986, they were brought together as an Aeromexico jet and a private plane collided and plummeted to earth. All told, 82 people lost their lives, including 15 on the ground. The crash not only shook the community, but became a turning point in the long-running effort to get collision-avoidance systems installed on all commercial aircraft. After decades of delays, Congress finally mandated their use, although it wasn't until 1994 - eight years after the crash - that airlines were required to have them installed. Early on, many pilots groused about their effectiveness - and indeed there were rough spots (most having to do with false signals). These days, the system known as TCAS is a routine - and under-appreciated - piece of equipment that has no doubt saved thousands of lives. Anyway, L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, who was mayor of Cerritos at the time of the disaster, reflected on that day during today's ceremony.

It was a day just like this: Warm, not a cloud in the sky. I was coming out of church, looked up, saw smoke, thought our new post office was on fire. I went home immediately, and as we entered the home the phone was ringing, it was [City Manager] Art [Gallucci] saying, "Mr. Mayor, a DC-9 just went down in our city. I'm coming to get you." Within minutes, I was on the scene with a life-changing experience forever. There's no book out there when you're an elected official or in any position of leadership that says, "Go to Chapter 26, page 242, this is what you do when you walk into a very explosive situation." For me, it was also very personal, having dear friends on the ground. And it was a moment in time that I will never forget. It was painful, it was fearful.

Photo: Names of victims at Sculpture Garden in Cerritos. KPCC.