Part 2/8:
On that fateful day, the weather at LAX was clear and calm, with air traffic controllers managing a steady flow of incoming and outgoing flights. The SkyWest Metroliner, with 10 passengers and two pilots aboard, was preparing for a short flight to Palmdale when, at approximately 5:57 PM, it received takeoff clearance and began taxiing towards Runway 24 Left.
In the meantime, US Air Flight 1493 was descending into Los Angeles after a smooth flight from Syracuse, New York. The crew of the Boeing 737, carrying 83 passengers, was experienced and well-prepared for landing. As they approached LAX, they were instructed to perform a visual approach for Runway 24 Left.