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. video Plane crashes near Seattle airport. Besides his other duties, he was qualified to tow aircraft, said Gary Beck, Horizon Air's president and chief executive officer. The Associated Press contributed to this report. So many bags," he said. ", Russell posted collages of photos from his trips around the world, writing that travel was "what keeps me going in the most unfavorable circumstances.". According to his Facebook page, which had limited public access, he was from Wasilla, Alaska, and lived in Sumner, Washington, and was married in 2012. 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. In fact, there have been a number of occurrences in recent decades in which ground personnel made off with aircraft. 2023 Cox Media Group. Playing What We Want In Seattle! Never really knew it until now.". Investigators said Richard Russell worked alone when he was working as a ground service agent for the airline, and that he towed the turboprop out a hanger, climbed into the cockpit, and took off. "It seemed like he was well liked by the other workers. 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. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? The black boxes will hopefully give investigators more clues as they try to figure out why Russell flew the plane into the ground. ", First published on August 13, 2018 / 5:34 AM. I don't want to. 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,. Join the Celebration of a Lifetime! An FBI investigation found Alaska Airlines ramp employee Richard Russell intentionally crashed the aircraft after flying for more than an hour. 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. 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. Neither the men nor the plane has ever been seen again. 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. But the plane made turns and aerobatic maneuvers that suggest some skill, she said. 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. Other pilots and SeaTac's tower exchange information about Mr Russell as they quickly realise that something unusual is going on. 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. He said flying was a "blast" and that he didn't need much help: "I've played some video games before.". Richard "Beebo" Russell, the Horizon Air employee who stole a plane from Sea-Tac Airport on Friday night, performed midair acrobatics over Puget Sound and then crashed into an island, was an. 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. 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. Foote served four and a half months in the brig and later went on to become a test pilot in civilian life. After Russell performed an unauthorized takeoff, two McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. Win Tickets to Weezer with Spoon and White Reaper at White River Amphitheater on August 20th! 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. The FBI will lead the investigation, said Eckrote, the NTSB regional chief. Nearby co-workers weren't even aware of Russell's actions, which happened six hours into his shift, according to reporters. New surveillance. "NORAD fighters did not fire upon the aircraft," North American Aerospace Defense Command said Saturday morning in a news release. 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. 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Indeed, in transcripts of his conversation with air-traffic control as he zig-zags the stolen plane through the airspace above the 15th-largest city in the U.S. (some of which can be heard in the video above), Russells demeanor goes from awestruck, to giddy, to fearful, to guilty, as he seems to process in real-time the weight of what hes done, and the unlikelihood that hell survive. Win Tickets to KISS at Climate Pledge Arena on November 6, 2023. Richard B. Russell reportedly stole a Horizon Air plane for a joyride before crashing and killing himself near Seattle. 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. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. . In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport . It was empty, parked at a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport cargo and . 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 . But the friendly tone of a 29-year-old airport worker who stole a commercial plane Friday night, performing acrobatic stunts before a fatal plunge into a thick island forest, belied his desperate actions. With its premium plus plan, youll be able to browse flight deals going for up to 90% off in business, premium economy, and economy class. About to take off. July 4, 1986. In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his travels. MH370 captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah was a flight-sim enthusiast who is known to have taken a simulated flight path similar to the one authorities believe the plane ultimately took into the southern Indian Ocean. He left prison after less than 5 years, on parole. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. By Jeff Wise Published: Aug 13, 2018 JASON REDMOND // Getty Images I've played some video games before, he said. "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. "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.". "Oh man. Newly released video shows the fiery scene firefighters encountered after an airplane stolen from Sea-Tac Airport crashed on Ketron Island. Enter for your chance to win a visit to the Disneyland Resort with 96.5 JACK FM! While searching the crash site, investigators also located human remains among the aircraft materials. Mr Russell was at times jovial at one point he assured SeaTac's tower that he didn't need help controlling the airplane because he had played some video games and questioned if it could do a backflip and was at others melancholic. 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. New video shows crash site of stolen plane. While investigators concluded Russell intentionally crash the plane, his motive still remains a mystery. Russell had no piloting experience, but he managed . Richard Russell Posted a Video on YouTube About Being a Baggage Handler Play VideoVideo related to richard russell, 'rich': 5 fast facts you need to know 2018-08-11T15:04:15-04:00 In a. 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. / CBS/AP. "The FBI is going to be thorough, which means taking the time needed to scour the area, delve into the background of the individual believed responsible for Friday night's incident, and review every aspect with all appropriate public and private partners," the FBI's Seattle office tweeted Saturday afternoon. Im coming home! But it was not to be. The plane didn't require a key, but it did require buttons and switches to be activated in a particular order. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. Reeves said he left Horizon because workers are overworked and underpaid. "I thought they were practicing for an air show," he said. He was in the air for about an hour. 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. ", "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. Photos show first responders that night sleeping outside on the ground. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. 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. 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. Like a lot of bags. 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 . SeaTac's tower began asking who was piloting the airplane, which culminated in the first of Mr Russell's exchanges with control that day. A curious and ultimately tragic story from 2018 finally has a little more context, thanks to security camera footage. He also told the controller he "wasn't really planning on landing" the aircraft, and he described himself as "just a broken guy.". Later, a controller discusses getting a pilot on the radio to help Russell control the aircraft. Having to rely on the ferry system for transport, the first 40 responding firefighters stayed at the scene throughout the night. 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. After Russell talked periodically with air traffic controllers for about an hour, the plane crashed at Ketron Island,officials said. 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 Human remains were found in wake of Friday's tragic plane crash. "You think if I land this successfully, Alaska will give me a job as a pilot?" 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. The agency says the 28-year-old's loved ones hosted an intervention for him, who "seemed fine" besides increased drinking. 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. The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. ", Referring to audio recordings of Russell talking to air traffic control during his hour-long flight, the statement said his "intent was not to harm anyone. 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. "Last night's event is going to push us to learn what we can from this tragedy so that we can ensure this does not happen again at Alaska Air Group or at any other airline," Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska Airlines, told a news conference Saturday. "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. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. Richard B. Russell reportedly stole a Horizon Air plane for a joyride before crashing and killing himself near Seattle. Aug. 12, 2018. In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport grounds and photos from his many trips. (DAILY NEWS VIDEO) . The jets' capability was appropriate to the potential task, one of the sources said, without offering details. Scroll down to continue . Tragic as Russell's death was, he could have inflicted vastly more damage had he been so inclined. But the plane slammed into tiny Ketron Island, a sparsely populated island southwest of Tacoma. His family says it's clear he didn't mean to harm anyone. 4.3M views 7 months ago A newly released video sheds new light on the moments leading up to Richard Russell crashing a plane. "My husband and I are recently former Boeing employees, and we were wondering why a jet was near the passenger airplane," she said. Weve got the Weekend Ticket Takeover! It's unclear exactly what Mr Russell is doing during this time, but he eventually takes control of a pushback tug and readies the Alaska Air plane for takeoff. "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. "I always felt bad for the guys and gals who handled luggage. So many bags," he said. Now let's land that airplane safely and don't hurt anybody on the ground," the helping pilot radios. The U.S. National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is online 24/7 to help you in a time of depression or desperation. CNN's Kyung Lah reports. I don't know! The FBI has recovered the flight data recorder and components of the cockpit voice recorder from the Horizon aircraft that crashed onto Ketron Island Friday night. He said his actions were "going to disappoint" the people who cared for him, and described himself as "just a broken guy" with "a few screws loose, I guess.". I don't need that much help. The agency said that, had Mr Russell wanted, he could have recovered from the dive. "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.". ", The statement said Russell, 29, was "a faithful husband, a loving son and a good friend. CNN's Kyung Lah reports.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. . The NTSB is now processing the equipment. The plane was a Q400, a Bombardier turboprop plane, one of about 40 the airline has in its fleet. Richard Russell, 29, walks through employee security screening at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. A beautifully-written Rolling Stone article published in summer of 2021 tells the story of Russells life up to the moment he towed the plane onto the runway and hopped in the cockpit, attempting to find meaning or motive to help explain why this goofy, God-fearing baggage handler decided to steal a plane he likely knew he couldnt successfully land. Russell responds: "Awwww-right. Despite the timing of the crash during prime fire season, the fires in the video seemed to be small and scattered. The body camera and cell phone video shows firefighters climbing through dense brush and fallen trees to get to the crash site on Ketron Island. "We are devastated by these events, and Jesus is truly the only one holding this family together right now. He passed a series of background checks to gain his position, as he didn't have any criminal convictions. He was immediately killed. The FBI also said it found human remains among the wreckage. The sheriff's department described Russell as suicidal. They pursued the aircraft before it went down on Ketron Island, between Tacoma and Olympia. 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 airport and into the 76-seat plane that he flew to his death. On the other hand, Russell was reported to have been profoundly troubled, whereas Malaysian authorities were unable to find any evidence that Shah suffered from mental illness or was undergoing any kind of stress in his life. "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. At one point, he apologizes and says he is a "broken guy" with "a few screws loose. .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. Russell, a Horizon Air ground service agent for three and a half years, was the only person aboard the plane, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department said. U.S. Air Force Sergeant Paul Meyer, a 23-year-old crew chief stationed at Mildenhall Air Base in England, stole a C-130 cargo plane and took off. Richard Russell: Details emerge of a 'compassionate' man after Seattle plane heist and fiery crash By Alex Horton August 13, 2018 at 8:01 a.m. EDT A Horizon Air employee described as. The jets were not involved in the crash, it said. "I would like to apologize to each and every one of them. "It's going to disappoint them to hear that I did thisJust a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess.". 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. "Seattle Ground, Horizon Guy. Meyer had recently been passed over for promotion and had been arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. There were no passengers aboard. Airline officials believe he was in uniform and worked a shift Friday, Tilden said. Later that day he stole an Alaska Air turboprop aircraft and crashed it into a remote island in Puget Sound. Like a lot of bags. 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The King County medical examiner ruled his death a suicide. Foote was an experienced glider pilot and had undergone 100 hours of simulator flying in the Skyhawk and had hoped to become a military pilot before his ambitions were derailed by health issues. "I lift a lot of bags. Potential targets included tens of thousands of fans assembling at Safeco Field, about 12 miles away, for a sold-out Pearl Jam concert just as he took off. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. ", "Well," a controller responds, "we're not going to worry or think about that. 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. Nearby co-workers weren't even aware of Russell's actions, which happened six hours into his shift, according to reporters. 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. How was a man able to steal and pilot a plane? The rest of Mr Russell's time in the air was well documented, thanks to his regular contact with SeaTac's tower. Witnesses described the surreal scene after the plane left the airport. The man has been identified as Richard Russell, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation confirmed to CNN on Saturday night. 2023 Cable News Network. Four years ago, a 29-year-old man named Richard Russell managed to steal an Alaskan Airlines turboprop plane from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. His 75-minute flight during the golden twilight took him south and west, toward the Olympic Mountains. intermediate woodworking projects,
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