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In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport grounds and photos from his many trips. 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.". After proceeding through the pre-flight checklist and moving the pushback tractor, Mr Russell began rolling the plane toward a runway. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Please enter valid email address to continue. Relatives of Richard Russell say they are "stunned and heartbroken" after the airline worker stole a passenger plane Friday from the Seattle-Tacoma . In a statement, the family says Richard Russell, whose nickname was "Beebo," was warm, kind and gentle. F-15s were scrambled out of their base at Portland International Airport to intercept the plane. The NTSB is now processing the equipment. That includes both domestic and international flights. The jets were not involved in the crash, it said. Win Tickets to Weezer with Spoon and White Reaper at White River Amphitheater on August 20th! It evens out in the end.". The Q400 is a turboprop aircraft with 76 seats. 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. He is the author of The Plane That Wasn't There: Why We Haven't Found MH370. It's gonna be crazy," Mr Russel said. They pursued the aircraft before it went down on Ketron Island, between Tacoma and Olympia. May 23, 1969. 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 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. The man could be heard on audio recordings telling air traffic controllers that he is "just a broken guy." 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. 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. I've played some video games before, he said. 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 . "I lift a lot of bags. 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. Enter for your chance to win a visit to the Disneyland Resort with 96.5 JACK FM! Now let's land that airplane safely and don't hurt anybody on the ground," the helping pilot radios. About to take off. July 4, 1986. Could 3 Particles on a Tie Lead Us to D.B. So many bags," he said. 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 . "Congratulations. Nah, Im a white guy.. 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. "We are devastated by these events, and Jesus is truly the only one holding this family together right now. "He worked his shift yesterday, we believe he was in uniform, his job is to be around airplanes," said Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska Air Group, which owns Horizon Air. 2. August 13, 2018 / 5:34 AM The plane eventually crashed on sparsely populated Ketron Island, starting a fire in the woods but injuring no one outside the plane. The theft illustrated what aviation experts have long known: One of the biggest potential perils for commercial air travel is airline or airport employees causing mayhem. Like a lot of bags. appreciated. ", Russell posted collages of photos from his trips around the world, writing that travel was "what keeps me going in the most unfavorable circumstances.". After Russell performed an unauthorized takeoff, two McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. Also see | 'I was blown away': Stepbrother of man who stole plane speaks out. A Russian Air Force engineer made off with an Antonov An-26 transport plane from Kubinka Air Force Base near Moscow. 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. .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. 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. Recently fired airline mechanic Armando Nieto Jaramillo, 23, stole a military HS-748 transport plane from Bogot-Eldorado Airport and crashed it soon after takeoff, killing himself and three people on the ground. The incident is bizarre and tragic, but it is not unprecedented. video Plane crashes near Seattle airport. While in the air, Meyer, whod been married eight weeks before, called his wife and said, Guess what? Despite the timing of the crash during prime fire season, the fires in the video seemed to be small and scattered. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The fuselage was fragmented and appeared to be upside down, said Debra Eckrote, regional chief for the National Transportation Safety Board. The footage shows him going through security wearing a T-shirt. 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. He eventually climbs inside the cockpit and fires up the engine. Kathleen Reichel said she watched the planes pass by for about two minutes. The agency says the 28-year-old's loved ones hosted an intervention for him, who "seemed fine" besides increased drinking. "I thought they were practicing for an air show," he said. 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. That includes both domestic and international flights. After the plane approached Ketron Island, Waldron saw a thick column of smoke followed by a loud explosion, he said. SeaTac's tower began asking who was piloting the airplane, which culminated in the first of Mr Russell's exchanges with control that day. Investigators on Saturday were trying to retrieve the plane's flight data recorder and its cockpit voice recorder. ", First published on August 13, 2018 / 5:34 AM. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. "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.". KIRO 7 News Seattle facebook feed(Opens a new window), KIRO 7 News Seattle twitter feed(Opens a new window), KIRO 7 News Seattle youtube feed(Opens a new window), Who was Richard Russell? "He was getting really stressed about the financial situation he was in. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. So many bags," he said. "Russell was known as a quiet guy who read a lot," according to one witness statement. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his various travels. / CBS/AP. "Yeah, he knew how to fly," she continued. Tragic as Russell's death was, he could have inflicted vastly more damage had he been so inclined. He had no purpose to be at that plane Friday evening "other than what he did do," Tilden said. On his Facebook page, which had limited public access, he said he was from Wasilla, Alaska; lived in Sumner, Washington; and was married in 2012. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. (AFP/Getty Images) Russell, 29, flew the plane for 75 . 7 months ago. Photos show first responders that night sleeping outside on the ground. 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. "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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. 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,. Jeff Wise is a New York-based science journalist specializing in aviation and psychology. At one point, he apologizes and says he is a "broken guy" with "a few screws loose. During an exchange with air traffic controllers, Russell mentioned he had some experience using flight simulator software. He first can be seen wandering through security, and is spotted again later on the tarmac. and last updated 2018-08-12 08:56:01-04. FBI released more information about Russell and the incident earlier this year, including witness statements from family, friends, and co-workers. Airline officials believe he was in uniform and worked a shift Friday, Tilden said. I was kinda hoping that was going to be it. They say says this is a complete shock. ", "Well," a controller responds, "we're not going to worry or think about that. NBC News Digital features NBCNews.com, MSNBC.com, TODAY.com, Nightly News, Meet the Press, Dateline, and the existing apps and digital extensions of these respective properties. The black boxes will hopefully give investigators more clues as they try to figure out why Russell flew the plane into the ground. But the plane slammed into tiny Ketron Island, a sparsely populated island southwest of Tacoma. 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 released Wednesday shows what first responders found after a plane stolen from Sea-Tac Airport crashed on a south Puget Sound island last August. Discovery Company. 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. I hope they can make it through this.". That's just not safe.". He did not survive the crash. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Russell responds: "Awwww-right. What happened from then, left a. Earlier in the flight, Russell says: "This is probably, like, jail time for life, huh? "I think I'm going to try to do a barrel roll, and if that goes good I'll go nose down and call it a night," Richard Russell said from the cockpit, according to a recording of his conversation with the controller. ", The statement said Russell, 29, was "a faithful husband, a loving son and a good friend. Without communicating to air traffic controllers, he cut off another airplane and then managed to get the plane onto the runway and airborne. "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.". CNN's Kyung Lah reports. 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. KIRO 7 spoke with Russells friend and former co-worker Robert Reeves who said Russell was a hard worker who loved aviation, but he admits Russell was unhappy with his pay. The incident, which the FBI's Seattle office did not consider terrorism, raises questions about airport security. Please dont hesitate to utilize this resource. The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. An FBI investigation found Alaska Airlines ramp employee Richard Russell intentionally crashed the aircraft after flying for more than an hour. The man has been identified as Richard Russell, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation confirmed to CNN on Saturday night. 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. 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. / CBS/AP. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Win Tickets to KISS at Climate Pledge Arena on November 6, 2023. 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. Russell echoed those claims in his last conversation with air traffic control. 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. Later that day he stole an Alaska Air turboprop aircraft and crashed it into a remote island in Puget Sound. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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: 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 sheriff's department described Russell as suicidal. 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. The cause of the crash wasn't immediately known, but the F-15s did not bring the plane down, Eckrote said. I don't want to. 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. The tower alerted the Portland Air National Guard base, which dispatched a group of US Air Force F-15s to intercept the rouge aircraft. Plus we let you know whats going on locally with Lee Callahans Jacktivities! Foote served four and a half months in the brig and later went on to become a test pilot in civilian life. 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.". "My husband and I are recently former Boeing employees, and we were wondering why a jet was near the passenger airplane," she said. Having to rely on the ferry system for transport, the first 40 responding firefighters stayed at the scene throughout the night. Author: Elisa Hahn Published: 11/14/2018 5:51:22 PM 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. "Russell had a few unexcused absences, but nothing considered significant.". "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.". Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. 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. We may earn a commission from links on this page. 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. Authorities said Russell did not have a pilot's license. 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. He also told the controller he "wasn't really planning on landing" the aircraft, and he described himself as "just a broken guy.". Russell flew the plane for over an hour before crashing. A Warner Bros. 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. 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. He's worked at Horizon longer than I did, and he still wasn't making $15 an hour, Reeves said. Mr Russell's aerial joyride ultimately ended in a fiery crash on a remote island in Puget Sound. 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. Alaska Airlines flight 261 took off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on the morning of August 10, 2018. Domestic Flights, Airplane Door Rips Open Midflight on Russian Plane, Airport Worker Ingested Into Jet Engine, Dies, The Concorde Disaster, Battle Tanks, and More. 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. He was killed in the crash. The plane had been parked in a maintenance area and was not scheduled for a passenger flight, Tilden said. 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. F-15 fighter jets scrambled to intercept the Q400, which ultimately crashed into Ketron Island, about 30 miles from the airport. Video from Friday showed the Horizon Air Q400 doing large loops and other dangerous maneuvers as the sun set on the Puget Sound. 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 . Jason Silverstein contributed to this report. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much The Seattle FBI office said Sunday that it had recovered the flight data recorder and components of the cockpit voice recorder from the Horizon plane. 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! They said it's clear Russell didn't intend to harm anyone, and "he was right in saying that there are so many people who loved him. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. New surveillance. Please enter valid email address to continue. "I lift a lot of bags. Just a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess. Also see | Cockpit audio from worker who stole empty plane from Sea-Tac Airport. It wasn't immediately clear what training, if any, Russell had in flying planes. ", "I've got a lot of people that care about me," the man later said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An FBI investigation found Alaska Airlines ramp employee Richard Russell intentionally crashed the aircraft after flying for more than an hour. Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com, Multiple western Washington residents indicted in connection to coast-to-coast drug ring, Bank accidentally left unlocked in Fresno, police say, Powerball jackpot winner identified as longtime Boeing employee, Officials: Mother identified as shooter in murder-suicide in Ohio, Court finds Federal Way gun store in contempt of court. F-15 "pilots kept plane out of harms way and people on ground safe," the sheriff's office tweeted. Join the Celebration of a Lifetime! "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. Onlooker John Waldron took video that shows the plane rolling inverted at low altitude, then pulling into a half-loop in a aerobatic high-g maneuver called a split S. Whether through skill or luck, Russell managed to pull the plane out of its rapid descent just above the wave tops. Lee Callahan in the morning, and the No Repeat Workday while you work! The worker performed several aerial stunts in the stolen aircraft before ultimately crashing on Ketron Island. First published on August 11, 2018 / 4:48 PM. 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. 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. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. "This is a complete shock to us," the family said in a statement Saturday night. The man has been identified as Richard Russell, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation confirmed to CNN on Saturday night. Investigators "did not identify any information that would suggest the theft of the aircraft was related to wider criminal activity or terrorist ideology," according to a summary of the FBI report. President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident and is monitoring the situation, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Saturday morning. The 76-seat Horizon Air turboprop plane took off without authorization at 7:32 p.m. local time Friday, with Russell, who was not a pilot, at the controls, officials said. The FBI will lead the investigation, said Eckrote, the NTSB regional chief. After Russell talked periodically with air traffic controllers for about an hour, the plane crashed at Ketron Island,officials said. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. August 11, 2018 / 11:29 PM The plane didn't require a key, but it did require buttons and switches to be activated in a particular order. Moore stole (or stole and crashed) multiple airplanes, multiple boats, dozens of cars, etc. "It seemed like he was well liked by the other workers. 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. I don't know! "He was a quiet guy," Rick Christenson, an operational supervisor with the airline who retired in Maytold The Seattle Times. His responsibilities included towing and pushing aircraft for takeoff and gate approach, de-icing them, and handling baggage.