Authorities said he used a tractor to rotate the plane 180 degrees, positioning it so that he could taxi toward a runway. New video shows crash site of stolen plane. 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. Never really knew it until now.". We may earn commission if you buy from a link. 2023 Cable News Network. Richard B. Russell reportedly stole a Horizon Air plane for a joyride before crashing and killing himself near Seattle. 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. Hell of a crime spree for a 19 year old. 2. An hour and 45 minutes into the flight, Meyer crashed into the English Channel. Win Tickets to KISS at Climate Pledge Arena on November 6, 2023. When Rolling Stone published its article last year, no major regulatory or security changes had been implemented in response to Russells deadly flight. The fuselage was fragmented and appeared to be upside down, said Debra Eckrote, regional chief for the National Transportation Safety Board. "Although investigators received information regarding Russells background, possible stressors, and personal life, no element provided a clear motivation for Russells actions.". Copyright 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. ", First published on August 13, 2018 / 5:34 AM. 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. 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. Ultimately the FBI determined that Mr Russell intentionally brought the airplane into a dive onto a small island in Puget Sound, where he died. While in the air, Meyer, whod been married eight weeks before, called his wife and said, Guess what? It wasn't immediately clear what training, if any, Russell had in flying planes. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Now let's land that airplane safely and don't hurt anybody on the ground," the helping pilot radios. The man could be heard on audio recordings telling air traffic controllers that he is "just a broken guy." He was killed in the crash. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. 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. In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his travels. Each Thursday Ticket Takeover we giveaway prizes all day for different concerts, events, and more! He left prison after less than 5 years, on parole. 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.". 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. CNN's Kyung Lah reports. Airline officials believe he was in uniform and worked a shift Friday, Tilden said. Colton Harris Moore only got 6 years for stealing a plane and crashing it. A ground service agent's tasks don't involve touching planes' controls, CNN aviation analyst Mary Schiavo said. 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. Russell, a 3-1/2-year Horizon employee, worked as a ground service agent. 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. The worker performed several aerial stunts in the stolen aircraft before ultimately crashing on Ketron Island. Like a lot of bags. ", "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. 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. August 13, 2018 / 5:34 AM Later that day he stole an Alaska Air turboprop aircraft and crashed it into a remote island in Puget Sound. Ah, dammit. Foote served four and a half months in the brig and later went on to become a test pilot in civilian life. The sheriff's department described Russell as suicidal. Did you encounter any technical issues? 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. 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. 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. Alaska Airlines flight 261 took off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on the morning of August 10, 2018. 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. 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In the footage, Mr Russell can be seen calmly moving through the airport wearing a black shirt. 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. Music from Green Day, Michael Jackson, Queen, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Madonna, Pearl Jam, Fleetwood Mac, and more! Relatives of Richard Russell say they are "stunned and heartbroken" after the airline worker stole a passenger plane Friday from the Seattle-Tacoma . The incident came about when a 29-year-old man stole an aircraft from Seattle-Tacoma International airport in August 2018. The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. 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. Other pilots and SeaTac's tower exchange information about Mr Russell as they quickly realise that something unusual is going on. He passed a series of background checks to gain his position, as he didn't have any criminal convictions. "My husband and I are recently former Boeing employees, and we were wondering why a jet was near the passenger airplane," she said. He eventually climbs inside the cockpit and fires up the engine. Human remains were found in wake of Friday's tragic plane crash. So many bags," he said. "Yeah, he knew how to fly," she continued. Just a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess. "Tower, you need to call and scramble now," one Alaska Air pilot called out. 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! Weve got the Weekend Ticket Takeover! After Russell performed an unauthorized takeoff, two McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. I don't know, man! Please enter valid email address to continue. Lee Callahan in the morning, and the No Repeat Workday while you work! "Nah, I mean, I don't need that much help. 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. Please dont hesitate to utilize this resource. All rights reserved. The agency says the 28-year-old's loved ones hosted an intervention for him, who "seemed fine" besides increased drinking. 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. Russell took the Q400 from a cargo area at the north end of Sea-Tac Airport on August 10. "I always felt bad for the guys and gals who handled luggage. It did not elaborate. 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. "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. It was empty, parked at a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport cargo and . "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.". 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 . All Rights Reserved. Like a lot of bags. First published on August 11, 2018 / 4:48 PM. Authorities said Russell did not have a pilot's license. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. Those guys will rough me up if I try and land there," the man responded, later adding, "This is probably jail time for life, huh? Also see | 'I was blown away': Stepbrother of man who stole plane speaks out. "I lift a lot of bags. He first can be seen wandering through security, and is spotted again later on the tarmac. Without communicating to air traffic controllers, he cut off another airplane and then managed to get the plane onto the runway and airborne. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. ", 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. In fact, there have been a number of occurrences in recent decades in which ground personnel made off with aircraft. SEATTLE -- He cracked jokes, complimented the professional demeanor of an air traffic controller and apologized for making a fuss. 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. 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,. SeaTac's tower began asking who was piloting the airplane, which culminated in the first of Mr Russell's exchanges with control that day. Russell, 29 is presumed dead. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Airports nationwide will now look at whether their security procedures need to change, CNN safety analyst David Soucie said. August 22, 1979. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! 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. Maybe that will grease some gears with the higher up, Russell said to air traffic controllers. 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 jets were not involved in the crash, it said. "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. In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport grounds and photos from his many trips. The footage shows him going through security wearing a T-shirt. Plus we let you know whats going on locally with Lee Callahans Jacktivities! "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.". 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. Late Friday, a Horizon Air employee believed to be Russell stole an empty turboprop plane, took off from SeaTac and crashed on Ketron Island, a small island in the Puget Sound that is home to about two dozen residents. "We are devastated by these events, and Jesus is truly the only one holding this family together right now. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. 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. He complimented the controller: "You are very calm, collect, poised," he said. 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. The jets' capability was appropriate to the potential task, one of the sources said, without offering details. The plane was a Q400, a Bombardier turboprop plane, one of about 40 the airline has in its fleet. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. NTSB to investigate in-flight turbulence that left 1 passenger dead, Pittsburgh woman missing for 31 years found alive in Puerto Rico, stole an airplane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Investigators work to determine how a man was able to pilot a stolen plane. 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. "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 perpetrator, 29-year-old Richard Russell, was a Horizon Air ground service agent with no piloting experience. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. "NORAD fighters did not fire upon the aircraft," North American Aerospace Defense Command said Saturday morning in a news release. ", "Well," a controller responds, "we're not going to worry or think about that. That includes both domestic and international flights. 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. Russell is then seen walking into a restricted area meant for baggage handlers, getting onto a tarmac tow vehicle, and dragging the plane he was set to steal onto the runway. 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. 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.
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