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. 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. Other pilots and SeaTac's tower exchange information about Mr Russell as they quickly realise that something unusual is going on. "It seemed like he was well liked by the other workers. So many bags," he said. The rest of Mr Russell's time in the air was well documented, thanks to his regular contact with SeaTac's tower. May 25, 2003. strangest, scariest, most bizarre events of 2018. 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. The cause of the crash wasn't immediately known, but the F-15s did not bring the plane down, Eckrote said. Earlier in the flight, Russell says: "This is probably, like, jail time for life, huh? Enter for your chance to win a visit to the Disneyland Resort with 96.5 JACK FM! 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. Even with this new footage at hand, its hard to figure out what made Russell embark on this brazen, fatal adventure. President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident and is monitoring the situation, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Saturday morning. 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. 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. 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. That includes both domestic and international flights. Author: Elisa Hahn Published: 11/14/2018 5:51:22 PM The Associated Press contributed to this report. Like a lot of bags. SeaTac's tower began asking who was piloting the airplane, which culminated in the first of Mr Russell's exchanges with control that day. 4.3M views 7 months ago A newly released video sheds new light on the moments leading up to Richard Russell crashing a plane. Could 3 Particles on a Tie Lead Us to D.B. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. 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. Nah, Im a white guy.. Details of man who sources say stole airplane from Sea-Tac, Officials: Man who stole plane, died in crash not a pilot, Woman faces decades in prison after lying about murder, Do you have an investigative story tip? F-15 fighter jets scrambled to intercept the Q400, which ultimately crashed into Ketron Island, about 30 miles from the airport. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. July 4, 1986. By Louis Lucero II and Melissa Gomez. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. "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. 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. 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. "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.". Having to rely on the ferry system for transport, the first 40 responding firefighters stayed at the scene throughout the night. August 11, 2018 / 11:29 PM All rights reserved. 2023 Cox Media Group. What happened from then, left a. Authorities said he used a tractor to rotate the plane 180 degrees, positioning it so that he could taxi toward a runway. Video from Friday showed the Horizon Air Q400 doing large loops and other dangerous maneuvers as the sun set on the Puget Sound. In the footage, Mr Russell can be seen calmly moving through the airport wearing a black shirt. ", 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. The plane had been parked in a maintenance area and was not scheduled for a passenger flight, Tilden said. 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. Meyer had recently been passed over for promotion and had been arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. As he flew the stolen 76-seat passenger plane above the Seattle area for nearly an hour on Friday night, Richard B. Russell was asked by an air . 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. The jets' capability was appropriate to the potential task, one of the sources said, without offering details. He complimented the controller: "You are very calm, collect, poised," he said. An air traffic controller called him "Rich," and tried to convince him to land the airplane. 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. (DAILY NEWS VIDEO) . Richard B. Russell reportedly stole a Horizon Air plane for a joyride before crashing and killing himself near Seattle. August 22, 1979. He was in the air for about an hour. "A couple of the turns, it looked like what we call in basic flight training a 'coordinated turn,' meaning that he not only used the yoke but you also coordinate with the rudders and you do the turns. Never really knew it until now.". Richard Russell, 29, can be seen at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport driving a pushback tractor with an Alaska Air turboprop attached. The incident, which the FBI's Seattle office did not consider terrorism, raises questions about airport security. The FBI also said it found human remains among the wreckage. "Tower, you need to call and scramble now," one Alaska Air pilot called out. By Jeff Wise Published: Aug 13, 2018 JASON REDMOND // Getty Images Please dont hesitate to utilize this resource. "Most importantly," he said in a voiceover about his job, "I get to visit those I love most. the moments leading up to an airport worker crashing a stolen airplane, FBI released more information about Russell and the incident, employees and family didn't notice anything wrong, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Russell was recorded having multiple conversations with air traffic controllers who were trying to talk him into landing. 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 agency says the 28-year-old's loved ones hosted an intervention for him, who "seemed fine" besides increased drinking. "Everyone was literally frozen in place, muttering about what possibly happened," he said. The NTSB is now processing the equipment. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. An FBI investigation found Alaska Airlines ramp employee Richard Russell intentionally crashed the aircraft after flying for more than an hour. On board was 29-year-old Richard Russell, a baggage handler for Horizon Air who is also flying the plane for unknown reason. 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The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. He was killed in the crash. 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. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Relatives of Richard Russell say they are "stunned and heartbroken" after the airline worker stole a passenger plane Friday from the Seattle-Tacoma . 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. "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. 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. About to take off. The black boxes are now being sent to the National Transportation Safety Board for processing. 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. 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. July 13, 1994. 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. 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. 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. But the plane slammed into tiny Ketron Island, a sparsely populated island southwest of Tacoma. "I always felt bad for the guys and gals who handled luggage. For one, Russell shouldn't have been able to board the plane alone, he said. / CBS/AP. 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. 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. "Yeah, he knew how to fly," she continued. "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. The Q400 is a turboprop aircraft with 76 seats. Jeff Wise is a New York-based science journalist specializing in aviation and psychology. ", "Well," a controller responds, "we're not going to worry or think about that. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Minimum wage, we'll chalk it up to that. Russell, 29 is presumed dead. Russell took the Q400 from a cargo area at the north end of Sea-Tac Airport on August 10. No one noticed the plane had disappeared until Mr Russell was in the air. 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. I've played some video games before," Russell responds. 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. appreciated. The plane eventually crashed on sparsely populated Ketron Island, starting a fire in the woods but injuring no one outside the plane. 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. 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. "I would like to apologize to each and every one of them. 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. I was kinda hoping that was going to be it. 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. CNN's Kyung Lah reports.. "Oh man. He first can be seen wandering through security, and is spotted again later on the tarmac. Neither the men nor the plane has ever been seen again. Each Thursday Ticket Takeover we giveaway prizes all day for different concerts, events, and more! 7 months ago. video Plane crashes near Seattle airport. among other things. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Playing What We Want In Seattle! 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. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Later, a controller discusses getting a pilot on the radio to help Russell control the aircraft. I don't want to. They pursued the aircraft before it went down on Ketron Island, between Tacoma and Olympia. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. It evens out in the end.". 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 . 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. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. "So, (he) had some knowledge but clearly wasn't a commercial pilot.". After proceeding through the pre-flight checklist and moving the pushback tractor, Mr Russell began rolling the plane toward a runway. A Russian Air Force engineer made off with an Antonov An-26 transport plane from Kubinka Air Force Base near Moscow. Authorities said Russell did not have a pilot's license. At one point, he apologizes and says he is a "broken guy" with "a few screws loose. 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 greatest threat we have to aviation is the insider threat," said Erroll Southers, a former FBI agent and transportation security expert. We may earn a commission from links on this page. During an exchange with air traffic controllers, Russell mentioned he had some experience using flight simulator software. 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. Aug. 12, 2018. The footage shows him going through security wearing a T-shirt. 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. The plane didn't require a key, but it did require buttons and switches to be activated in a particular order. He left prison after less than 5 years, on parole. 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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. F-15s were scrambled out of their base at Portland International Airport to intercept the plane. 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.". 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. 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. You did that. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Russell's family said in a statement that they were stunned and heartbroken. 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! I've played some video games before, he said. Ah, dammit. he joked. 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 . Hell of a crime spree for a 19 year old. 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. "We are devastated by these events, and Jesus is truly the only one holding this family together right now. Join the Celebration of a Lifetime! 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. Music from Green Day, Michael Jackson, Queen, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Madonna, Pearl Jam, Fleetwood Mac, and more! Start your Independent Premium subscription today. He said flying was a "blast" and that he didn't need much help: "I've played some video games before.". In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his travels. "It's going to disappoint them to hear that I did thisJust a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess.". 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. 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. It was one of the strangest, scariest, most bizarre events of 2018: A baggage handler at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport moseyed onto the tarmac, hopped in an unoccupied Horizon Air passenger plane, taxied to an empty runway, and took off. 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. 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 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. 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. "Nah, I mean, I don't need that much help. "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. Air traffic control became suspicious of Mr Russell after he cut in the line for takeoff. "Congratulations. I don't know, man! Horizon airline employee, 28-year-old Richard 'Bebo' Russell, stole a plane and took off before crashing into remote Pierce County island . The man has been identified as Richard Russell, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation confirmed to CNN on Saturday night. The FBI will lead the investigation, said Eckrote, the NTSB regional chief. 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. 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 He passed a series of background checks to gain his position, as he didn't have any criminal convictions. (AFP/Getty Images) Russell, 29, flew the plane for 75 .

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