On August 31, 1986, at 11:56 A.M., two planes collided above a Cerritos neighborhood near Carmenita Road and 183rd Street. The accident claimed 82 lives, destroyed 11 homes, and severely damaged seven others. It became known as the Cerritos Air Disaster. The collision was partially caused by inadequate airport approach and departure controls, and it resulted in the implementation of safer procedures for airport approaches and departures. Those who perished included people aboard the DC-9 Aero Mexico Flight 498 and the Piper Cherokee Archer II, as well as Cerritos families and friends on the ground.
