Land Based Fishing Tannum Sands, Charlie Lynch Lynch Livestock, Take Me Out Musical Broadway Shower Scene, Which Type Of Conversion Has The Least Latency?, Articles R

he joked. It was empty, parked at a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport cargo and . Authorities said he used a tractor to rotate the plane 180 degrees, positioning it so that he could taxi toward a runway. Without communicating to air traffic controllers, he cut off another airplane and then managed to get the plane onto the runway and airborne. Video released to KOMO News from the Port of Seattle capture the final moments of Richard Russell who took a Horizon Air plane from SeaTac Airport without authorization, performed acrobatic. New video shows crash site of stolen plane. The sheriff's department described Russell as suicidal. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. All Rights Reserved. "There is a runway just off to your right side in about a mile," the controller says, reffering to an airfield at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. New video shows the crash site and blogging made by Richard Russell, the airline worker who stole and crashed a plane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. An FBI investigation found Alaska Airlines ramp employee Richard Russell intentionally crashed the aircraft after flying for more than an hour. Russell, who was a ground services employee for Horizon Air, sat in the plane's cockpit for nearly an hour and a half before the unauthorized takeoff. NORAD scrambled two F-15 to try to shepherd Russell away from populated areas of Seattle, but at 8:46 PM, Russell crashed the plane into an uninhabited part of Ketron Island in Puget Sound. Worker who stole plane and crashed identified, See stolen plane flying moments before crash, Co-worker of man who stole plane speaks out, Official: Man taxied plane before stealing it, Airline worker's family releases statement, Airline issues statement after Seattle crash, Witness: Thought Air Force was practicing for show. Discovery Company. The plane had been parked in a maintenance area and was not scheduled for a passenger flight, Tilden said. If you miss out on Thursday, no worries! Authorities sent fighter jets to escort him, and the controller repeatedly tried to direct him to runways. Foote served four and a half months in the brig and later went on to become a test pilot in civilian life. He also told the controller he "wasn't really planning on landing" the aircraft, and he described himself as "just a broken guy.". The plane didn't require a key, but it did require buttons and switches to be activated in a particular order. It's gonna be crazy," Mr Russel said. "Congratulations. The incident, which the FBI's Seattle office did not consider terrorism, raises questions about airport security. In audio recordings released over the internet, Russell can be heard chatting in an upbeat, enthusiastic tone with the air traffic controllers trying to talk him down. "My husband and I are recently former Boeing employees, and we were wondering why a jet was near the passenger airplane," she said. "Although investigators received information regarding Russells background, possible stressors, and personal life, no element provided a clear motivation for Russells actions.". They pursued the aircraft before it went down on Ketron Island, between Tacoma and Olympia. At least 12 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Trump speaks at CPAC after winning straw poll, 3 children killed, 2 others wounded at Texas home, Man charged for alleged involvement in 2 transformer explosions, Nikki Haley slams potential GOP contenders, and Trump and George W. Bush, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant to "take some time away" from the team after allegedly brandishing a gun in a club, Alex Murdaugh trial: What to know about the double murder case, FBI probes how airline employee stole plane, FBI investigating how airline employee stole plane before crashing, New details emerge about employee who stole, crashed airplane, NTSB to investigate in-flight turbulence that left 1 passenger dead, Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, someone can simply take a passenger plane from a major U.S. airport without authorization, push us to learn what we can from this tragedy. Lee Callahan in the morning, and the No Repeat Workday while you work! On Friday, Horizon Air ground service agent .css-3wjtm9{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#1c6a65;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-3wjtm9:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Richard B. Russell got in one of the airlines Bombardier Q400 aircraft and took off from Seattles SeaTac Airport. Other pilots and SeaTac's tower exchange information about Mr Russell as they quickly realise that something unusual is going on. New video released Wednesday shows what first responders found after a plane stolen from Sea-Tac Airport crashed on a south Puget Sound island last August. "I always felt bad for the guys and gals who handled luggage. He said flying was a "blast" and that he didn't need much help: "I've played some video games before.". That includes both domestic and international flights. The jets were not involved in the crash, it said. Each Thursday Ticket Takeover we giveaway prizes all day for different concerts, events, and more! Richard Russell, 29, can be seen at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport driving a pushback tractor with an Alaska Air turboprop attached. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Ted Cruz calls for Fauci to be prosecuted in CPAC rant on Covid, George Santos under investigation by House Ethics committee, CDC sends warning after babys death linked to contaminated breast pump, Footage shows man stealing plane he crashed into a Washington island, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off & extra perks with Booking.com Genius Membership, $6 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, 10% off selected orders over 100 - eBay discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK March 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this March, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. In the footage, Mr Russell can be seen calmly moving through the airport wearing a black shirt. ", Russell posted collages of photos from his trips around the world, writing that travel was "what keeps me going in the most unfavorable circumstances.". "He might have been talking to himself in the cockpit," so the voice recorder may provide additional information that wasn't recorded in radio traffic, she said. New video of 2018 Horizon Air plane heist at Sea-Tac | king5.com SEATAC, Wash. - It was a shocking scene above the Puget Sound, as Horizon Airlines employee Richard Russell stole and flew a turboprop from Sea-Tac Airport while air traffic tried to talk him . After proceeding through the pre-flight checklist and moving the pushback tractor, Mr Russell began rolling the plane toward a runway. Maybe that will grease some gears with the higher up, Russell said to air traffic controllers. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. As a flight controller tried to persuade him to land, he wondered aloud about whether he had enough fuel to make it to the Olympics, talked of the beautiful view, and said he had a lot of people who cared about him, apologizing for what he was doing. video Plane crashes near Seattle airport. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! After the plane approached Ketron Island, Waldron saw a thick column of smoke followed by a loud explosion, he said. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. John Waldron was walking along a trail near the bay when he noticed the two military jets following a plane doing aerobatics. F-15s were scrambled out of their base at Portland International Airport to intercept the plane. The man could be heard on audio recordings telling air traffic controllers that he is "just a broken guy." The Sky Thief Richard Russell Plane Crash Video Gone Viral: What "He was a quiet guy," Rick Christenson, an operational supervisor with the airline who retired in Maytold The Seattle Times. "Never really knew it till now," he said. Im coming home! But it was not to be. Music from Green Day, Michael Jackson, Queen, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Madonna, Pearl Jam, Fleetwood Mac, and more! He first can be seen wandering through security, and is spotted again later on the tarmac. It seemed like such miserable work and I never could imagine why anyone would want to subject themselves to all the constant noise, gas fumes, and heavy lifting. New Video Shows Man Stealing Horizon Air Plane In 2018 Incident 7 months ago. Later that day he stole an Alaska Air turboprop aircraft and crashed it into a remote island in Puget Sound. New video shows fiery scene of stolen plane crash on Ketron Island Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. He was in the air for about an hour. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed the remains belong to Richard Russell, who took the empty Horizon Air turboprop plane from Sea-Tac Airport. The agency says the 28-year-old's loved ones hosted an intervention for him, who "seemed fine" besides increased drinking. In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport grounds and photos from his many trips. [deleted] 5 yr. ago. The Associated Press contributed to this report. "The greatest threat we have to aviation is the insider threat," said Erroll Southers, a former FBI agent and transportation security expert. CCTV Footage Shows Baggage Handler Stealing Plane, Crashes On Island - TMZ Never really knew it until now.". Airline and Seattle airport officials revealed the following at a news conference Saturday: In audio recordings of the incident posted on Broadcastify, Russell can be heard talking to air traffic controllers as they try to guide him to land the plane. New footage shows airport worker Richard Russell steal plane It's Troublingly Common for Ground Crew Members To Steal Planes No one noticed the plane had disappeared until Mr Russell was in the air. The Q400 is a turboprop aircraft with 76 seats. Sky King (RE-POST with new footage) || The Day an Airline Employee The Surveillance footage obtained by KOMO shows 28-year-old Richard Russell using a tow vehicle to pull a Horizon Air Q400 aircraft onto the tarmac before climbing into the . Besides his other duties, he was qualified to tow aircraft, said Gary Beck, Horizon Air's president and chief executive officer. Video from Friday showed the Horizon Air Q400 doing large loops and other dangerous maneuvers as the sun set on the Puget Sound. The Pierce County Medical Examiners Office has confirmed the remains belong to Richard Russell, who took the empty Horizon Air turboprop plane from Sea-Tac Airport. We deliver the best in breaking news, live video coverage, original journalism and segments from your favorite NBC News Shows.Connect with NBC News Online!NBC News App: https://smart.link/5d0cd9df61b80Breaking News Alerts: https://link.nbcnews.com/join/5cj/breaking-news-signup?cid=sm_npd_nn_yt_bn-clip_190621Visit NBCNews.Com: http://nbcnews.to/ReadNBCFind NBC News on Facebook: http://nbcnews.to/LikeNBCFollow NBC News on Twitter: http://nbcnews.to/FollowNBC#Surveillance #Horizonair #hijacking ", "Well," a controller responds, "we're not going to worry or think about that. CNN's Kyung Lah reports. Scroll down to continue . The newly published video, coupled with Rolling Stones detailed reconstruction of the events of August 10, 2018, paint the picture of a cheerful, gregarious fellow. Russell, a 3-1/2-year Horizon employee, worked as a ground service agent. I don't want to. "We heard the jet because our windows were down while we were waiting in the ferry line to go to Anderson Island, which is adjacent to Ketron Island.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. For one, Russell shouldn't have been able to board the plane alone, he said. The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. Like a lot of bags. Surveillance footage obtained by KOMO shows 28-year-old Richard Russell using a tow vehicle to pull a Horizon Air Q400 aircraft onto the tarmac before climbing into the cockpit on August 10, 2018. They said it's not clear whether he had ever taken flight lessons or used flight simulators, or where he gained the skills to take off. I feel really bad for Richard and for his family. Mr Russell's aerial joyride ultimately ended in a fiery crash on a remote island in Puget Sound. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Sunday that Russell had died in the fiery wreckage, but whether the crash was deliberate or accidental was one of several topics remaining for investigators. Aug. 12, 2018. Video from a witness on the ground shows the plane at one point pulling up for a loop, putting the aircraft upside-down and then pulling back up just feet above a body of water. He was right in saying that there are so many people who have loved him.". The whole saga took place late on a Friday night in the west-coast time zone; by Monday morning, the constant news churn of the middle years of the Trump presidency seemed to have pushed any follow-up coverage of the Horizon Air crash out of the headlines. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? As the FBI investigation wrapped up earlier this week, West Pierce Fire and Rescue released some of the first footage from the scene through public disclosure. About to take off. Nah, Im a white guy.. He said he wanted to create projects showing the contrast between his hard work on the ground and his high-flying free time traveling the globe. The incident came about when a 29-year-old man stole an aircraft from Seattle-Tacoma International airport in August 2018. A fter 29-year-old airline employee Richard B. Russell stole a plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday night and crashed it into Ketron Island in Puget Sound, questions remain. CNN's Kyung Lah reports.. First published on August 11, 2018 / 4:48 PM. F-15 "pilots kept plane out of harms way and people on ground safe," the sheriff's office tweeted. Ben Charles Padilla, an aircraft mechanic who held a private pilots license and was a certified flight engineer, was repairing a 727 airliner in Luanda, Angola for a Florida-based company named Aerospace Sales and Leasing. (DAILY NEWS VIDEO) . I've played some video games before," Russell responds. "Seattle Ground, Horizon Guy. Chilling CCTV footage shows Richard Russell stealing plane before fatal Despite the timing of the crash during prime fire season, the fires in the video seemed to be small and scattered. Richard Russell, 'Rich': 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know A blog that appeared to belong to Russell as part of a multimedia content creation class at Washington State University focused on his job on a ground service agent. An FBI investigation found Alaska Airlines ramp employee Richard Russell intentionally crashed the aircraft after flying for more than an hour. In the days leading up to the theft and subsequent crash, employees and family didn't notice anything wrong with him, investigators wrote in the updated report. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport . The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. Richard Russell said he didn't need much help: 'I've played some video He's worked at Horizon longer than I did, and he still wasn't making $15 an hour, Reeves said. While searching the crash site, investigators also located human remains among the aircraft materials. "Our hearts are with the families of the individual aboard as well as all of our Alaska Air and Horizon Air employees," said Constance von Muehlen, the airline's chief operating officer. He complimented the controller: "You are very calm, collect, poised," he said. "I thought they were practicing for an air show," he said. He was immediately killed. Lastly, we've been reporting a lot only on the most famous case of suspected pilot suicide, Malaysian Airlines Flight 370, and this weekend's tragedy bears at least a few similarities. The job of a ground service agent includes directing aircraft for takeoff and gate approach, handling baggage and tidying and de-icing planes, authorities said. Russell repeatedly says he would do a roll. May 25, 2003. "Russell had a few unexcused absences, but nothing considered significant.". How was a man able to steal and pilot a plane? After Russell talked periodically with air traffic controllers for about an hour, the plane crashed at Ketron Island,officials said. "I lift a lot of bags. "In this plane, he certainly knew how to retract the landing gear, he coordinated both engines, powered them up to get a coordinated takeoff," she said. Witnesses described the surreal scene after the plane left the airport. Airline officials believe he was in uniform and worked a shift Friday, Tilden said. FBI released more information about Russell and the incident earlier this year, including witness statements from family, friends, and co-workers. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. The tower alerted the Portland Air National Guard base, which dispatched a group of US Air Force F-15s to intercept the rouge aircraft. Richard Russell Plane Crash Video From Seattle | Heavy.com Amazingly, despite the unprecedented nature of this deadly feat, and the fact that it could have easily become a mass casualty event, Russells flight and fatal crash seemed to hardly make a splash in the national news. Man who took Horizon Air plane from Sea-Tac Airport was quiet, well Weve got the Weekend Ticket Takeover! Kathleen Reichel said she watched the planes pass by for about two minutes. Newly released CCTV footage shows airport employee Richard Russell stealing an Alaska Airlines plane before fatally crashing it into a Washington island, the New York Post reports . Richard Russell died in Friday's plane crash. Horizon airline employee, 28-year-old Richard 'Bebo' Russell, stole a plane and took off before crashing into remote Pierce County island More Videos Next up in 5 Worlds Largest Passenger Aircraft Will Fly Again, Russia May Use Military Aircraft for Civilians, A Livestream of Planes Trying to Land at Heathrow, Why a New 5G Rollout Is Making Airlines Nervous, The Complicated History of the Very First Flight, The VTOL Future of Flight That Never Took Off. The King County medical examiner ruled his death a suicide. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. It wasn't immediately clear what training, if any, Russell had in flying planes. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Every time I traveled I would look out my plane window and see these sullen looking individuals leisurely pacing around, or hectically throwing bags into a cart. F-15 fighter jets scrambled to intercept the Q400, which ultimately crashed into Ketron Island, about 30 miles from the airport. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, On the day of his tragic flight, Mr Russell wore a shirt that said The Sky is No Limit, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile, Air Traffic Control audio reveals conversation with man who stole Alaska Airlines plane. Find flight for cheapWith its premium plus plan, youll be able to browse flight deals going for up to 90% off in business, premium economy, and economy class. The photos provided some of the most compelling images: tree trunks sheared in half by the impact of the crash and parts of the Horizon Air Q400 Turboprop littered throughout the debris field. Airports nationwide will now look at whether their security procedures need to change, CNN safety analyst David Soucie said. Its the first time that weve had a commercial aircraft stolen off the ramp of an active airport, Steven Armstrong, vice director of operations for the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), told Rolling Stone. Colton Harris Moore only got 6 years for stealing a plane and crashing it. Relatives of Richard Russell say they are "stunned and heartbroken" after the airline worker stole a passenger plane Friday from the Seattle-Tacoma . Richard Russell, who stole plane from Sea-Tac, acted alone, crashed on / CBS/AP. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Even with this new footage at hand, its hard to figure out what made Russell embark on this brazen, fatal adventure. The perpetrator, 29-year-old Richard Russell, was a Horizon Air ground service agent with no piloting experience. / CBS/AP. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much It was empty, parked at a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport cargo and maintenance area for the night after arriving from Victoria, British Columbia, earlier in the day. The Port of Seattle just released the CCTV footage of 29-year-old Richard Russell towing the Alaska Airlines' Q400 Turboprop into position back in 2018 at the Seattle-Tacoma International. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. He was immediately killed. .css-v1xtj3{display:block;font-family:FreightSansW01,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-weight:100;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-v1xtj3:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-v1xtj3{font-size:1.1387rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-v1xtj3{line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.css-v1xtj3{font-size:1.18581rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-top:0rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-v1xtj3{font-size:1.23488rem;line-height:1.2;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}A 777 Nearly Plunged Into the Ocean After Takeoff, Sudden FAA Failure Grounds U.S. Richard "Beebo" Russell (Screenshot from YouTube via AP) SEATTLE - The Horizon Air baggage handler who stole a commercial airplane from Sea-Tac Airport and took it for a 73-minute joy ride . At one point he asks the controller, Hey, do you think if I land this successfully, Alaska [Horizon Airs parent company, Alaska Airllines] will give me a job as a pilot? Told, You know, I think they would give you a job doing anything if you could pull this off, Russell replies, Yeah right! appreciated. You did that. Siddiq Saunderson Moved to L.A. and Immediately Bought a Prius, Millennials and Zillennials Can't Get Enough of Manual Transmissions, Dollar Flight Club Premium Plus (Lifetime Subscription), Tesla Investor Day 2023 Was Pretty Great if You Ignored Elon. A Russian Air Force engineer made off with an Antonov An-26 transport plane from Kubinka Air Force Base near Moscow. ", "I've got a lot of people that care about me, and it's going to disappoint them to hear that I did this," Russell says. Winter Weather Advisory expires for much of western Washington, Intertribal comedy sketch troupe performs 'Between Two Knees' at Seattle Rep, plane stolen from Sea-Tac Airport crashed, Stolen plane narrowly missed family inside Ketron Island cabin, released the findings of its investigation, Cockpit audio from worker who stole empty plane from Sea-Tac Airport, 'I was blown away': Stepbrother of man who stole plane speaks out. Jason Silverstein contributed to this report. ", First published on August 13, 2018 / 5:34 AM. Newly-obtained surveillance video from 2018 shows how Richard Russell, then a Horizon Ground service agent with no pilot experience, successfully stole the plane before crashing to his death. Richard Russell Stole a Plane in Seattle and Crashed It. How'd He Learn The family of a man who authorities saystole an airplane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and later crashed it called him a faithful husband, loving son and good friend.