The Q400 is a turboprop aircraft with 76 seats. Relatives of Richard Russell say they are "stunned and heartbroken" after the airline worker stole a passenger plane Friday from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and was killed when he crashed 25 miles away. "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.". 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What followed was a 73-minute joyride during which Richard Beebo Russell had a surprisingly candid conversation with air-traffic controllers as he pushed the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 twin-engine plane through some daring acrobatic moves. 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. President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident and is monitoring the situation, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Saturday morning. The reason I left is in February of 2016 they were short staffed and they had me run three planes in the same time, Reeves said. 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. 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. Russell was "tow certified" and had full security access, and had been with the company for three and a half years, CBS News' Jamie Yuccas reports. "There is a protocol to not allow anyone singularly to get onboard an aircraft," Soucie said. At one point, he apologizes and says he is a "broken guy" with "a few screws loose. Like a lot of bags. He managed to proceed with his plan unmolested largely because no one thought twice about the baggage handler working in the airport's restricted spaces. Within minutes of the plane's takeoff, the military scrambled two armed F-15 jets from Oregon to follow it, according to local and airline authorities and two sources with knowledge of the situation. While in the air, Meyer, whod been married eight weeks before, called his wife and said, Guess what? SeaTac's tower began asking who was piloting the airplane, which culminated in the first of Mr Russell's exchanges with control that day. Copyright 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. 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. SEATTLE -- He cracked jokes, complimented the professional demeanor of an air traffic controller and apologized for making a fuss. By Jeff Wise Published: Aug 13, 2018 JASON REDMOND // Getty Images "I never thought I would work as a Ground Service Agent (GSA) for an Airlines company," he wrote in a blog post in September 2017. A 777 Nearly Plunged Into the Ocean After Takeoff, In audio recordings released over the internet, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. (DAILY NEWS VIDEO) . He was immediately killed. Family and friends try to reconcile Richard Russell's action with the New Video Shows Man Stealing Horizon Air Plane In 2018 Incident You know?". "If you're going to access the aircraft you make sure that you check with someone else, and that someone else (will confirm) that you have the right authority to get onto that aircraft.". Maybe that will grease some gears with the higher up, Russell said to air traffic controllers. The jets' capability was appropriate to the potential task, one of the sources said, without offering details. 7 months ago. The NTSB is now processing the equipment. There were no passengers aboard. Remains of airline worker who stole, crashed plane found on island in New footage shows airport worker Richard Russell steal plane The fuselage was fragmented and appeared to be upside down, said Debra Eckrote, regional chief for the National Transportation Safety Board. Others include how, nearly 17 years after the 9/11 attack, someone can simply take a passenger plane from a major U.S. airport without authorization.

An airline employee stole an otherwise unoccupied passenger plane Friday from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and flew it for an hour with military jets chasing him before crashing in a wooded area 40 miles away.

. . "Here we have an employee who was vetted to the level to have access to the aircraft and had a skill set proficient enough to take off with that plane.". Russell flew the plane for over an hour before crashing. The Associated Press contributed to this report. CNN's Kyung Lah reports.. Russell was recorded having multiple conversations with air traffic controllers who were trying to talk him into landing. By Louis Lucero II and Melissa Gomez. Please enter valid email address to continue. New footage released by the Port of Seattle shows Mr Russell who worked as a baggage handler at the airport preparing the plane for takeoff. It was empty, parked at a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport cargo and . Because there were no passengers or crew aboard the plane, it wasnt considered a hijacking, and authorities response to the event seems to indicate that nobody ever expected an airport employee to hop in a plane and go for a ride with no apparent intent to terrorize, kill, or even make a greater statement. Later, a controller discusses getting a pilot on the radio to help Russell control the aircraft. F-15 fighter jets scrambled to intercept the Q400, which ultimately crashed into Ketron Island, about 30 miles from the airport. The sheriff's department described Russell as suicidal. Author: Elisa Hahn Published: 11/14/2018 5:51:22 PM "He was a quiet guy," Rick Christenson, an operational supervisor with the airline who retired in Maytold The Seattle Times. I don't know, man! Data from the flight data recorder showed there was a significant sideslip on the airplane during the last minute of the flight, but the airplane appeared to stay in control, according to the FBI report. FBI released more information about Russell and the incident earlier this year, including witness statements from family, friends, and co-workers. Authorities said he used a tractor to rotate the plane 180 degrees, positioning it so that he could taxi toward a runway. May 23, 1969. 2. All Rights Reserved. among other things. He later stole the plane and eventually crashed it into an island in Puget Sound. Who Was Richard Russell? Man Steals Airplane and Crashes | Time Horizon's parent company, Alaska Airlines, refused to comment on claims of workers being overworked or underpaid. 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. Jason Silverstein contributed to this report. Now, nearly four years after the event, authorities have released new video footage showing how 28-year-old Russell who went by the nickname "Beebo" got through. The plane was a Q400, a Bombardier turboprop plane, one of about 40 the airline has in its fleet. The agency says the 28-year-old's loved ones hosted an intervention for him, who "seemed fine" besides increased drinking. 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. Horizon airline employee, 28-year-old Richard 'Bebo' Russell, stole a plane and took off before crashing into remote Pierce County island Ultimately the FBI determined that Mr Russell intentionally brought the airplane into a dive onto a small island in Puget Sound, where he died. "Although investigators received information regarding Russells background, possible stressors, and personal life, no element provided a clear motivation for Russells actions.". Also see | Cockpit audio from worker who stole empty plane from Sea-Tac Airport. [deleted] 5 yr. ago. After proceeding through the pre-flight checklist and moving the pushback tractor, Mr Russell began rolling the plane toward a runway. 4.3M views 7 months ago A newly released video sheds new light on the moments leading up to Richard Russell crashing a plane. It's gonna be crazy," Mr Russel said. 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, Officials say man who stole plane was suicidal. 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. Family of man who stole, crashed plane 'stunned' - KJRH Mr Russell's aerial joyride ultimately ended in a fiery crash on a remote island in Puget Sound. Richard Russell plane crash video from Sea-Tac | wltx.com Please enter valid email address to continue. Ah, dammit. 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. Investigators headed Saturday to the crash site to recover the plane's data recorders and Russell's remains as part of a criminal probe, authorities said. 2023 Cable News Network. "The greatest threat we have to aviation is the insider threat," said Erroll Southers, a former FBI agent and transportation security expert. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Richard Russell was a suicidal airport ground services worker who stole an airplane from Sea-Tac International Airport in Seattle, Washington, and took it on a dramatic unauthorized flight,. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. May 25, 2003. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. (AFP/Getty Images) Russell, 29, flew the plane for 75 . "This is a complete shock to us," the family said in a statement Saturday night. He was killed in the crash. Alaska Airlines flight 261 took off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on the morning of August 10, 2018. In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his various travels. Colton Harris Moore only got 6 years for stealing a plane and crashing it. Its not yet known exactly what pre-existing psychological conditions Russell may have had, but in the course of his conversation with air traffic controllers he expresses racial resentment. Richard Russell Plane Crash Video From Seattle | Heavy.com This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. I hope they can make it through this.". Foote served four and a half months in the brig and later went on to become a test pilot in civilian life. New video shows crash site of stolen plane 02:22 CNN Richard Russell was a funny, gentle and hardworking man, said family and a colleague of the airline employee who stole a passenger. So many bags," he said. Richard Russell said he didn't need much help: 'I've played some video Man who took Horizon Air plane from Sea-Tac Airport was quiet, well 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. Richard Russell Stole a Plane in Seattle and Crashed It. How'd He Learn "NORAD fighters did not fire upon the aircraft," North American Aerospace Defense Command said Saturday morning in a news release. Moore stole (or stole and crashed) multiple airplanes, multiple boats, dozens of cars, etc. That includes both domestic and international flights. 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. The Sky Thief Richard Russell Plane Crash Video Gone Viral: What ", "Well," a controller responds, "we're not going to worry or think about that. I've played some video games before, he said. 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 . Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The King County medical examiner ruled his death a suicide. Richard Russell: quiet, well-liked Seattle airport worker who stole a plane Newly released video shows the fiery scene firefighters encountered after an airplane stolen from Sea-Tac Airport crashed on Ketron Island. But could you start a left-hand turn, please?". He's worked at Horizon longer than I did, and he still wasn't making $15 an hour, Reeves said. An air traffic controller called him "Rich," and tried to convince him to land the airplane. Some speculated the plane was stolen as part of an insurance scam, or perhaps taken by terrorists who planned to use it as a flying bomb, but the truth remains unknown. "But the air traffic controller had to tell him how to set what they call the 'bugs' -- they're just little, sort of, little levers, or little notches on your indicator for your heading, which is kind of basic. 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. He was in the air for about an hour. 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

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