Richard Russell, 29, hijacked a 76-seater plane from Seattle-Tacoma on Friday He flew around as an air traffic controller calmly tried to reason with him A recording of their conversation. "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 airline confirmed that an unauthorized take-off occurred. Profile emerges of ground service agent, 29, who had passed background checks to get a job at Horizon Air, Ive got a lot of people that care about me. The video starts with images of what its like to work as a baggage handler for an airline, sometimes in the rainy weather. Once I earn my Bachelors in Social Sciences I will either seek a management position where Im at now, or possibly join the military as an officer. At one point, Rich asked for help in getting the cabin depressurized, complaining he was getting lightheaded. FBI: Richard Russell, who stole plane from Sea-Tac, acted alone, crashed on purpose; motive a mystery . In what appears to be his personal blog, Russell described himself as a native of Key West, Florida, who moved to Alaska at age seven. Friends and former colleagues cant comprehend how the smart, funny, quiet man they knew could have carried out such a shocking heist. Maybe that will grease the gears a little bit with the higher-ups, he said at another point. "I lift a lot of bags. Subscribe to NBC News: nbcnews.to/SubscribeToNBC Watch more NBC video: bit.ly/MoreNBCNews NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news. Then he took an Alaska Airlines plane. 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. Audio starts with another aircraft reporting the Q400 exiting the maintenance/cargo area and taking off without clearance. We know who he is. Referring to the video recordings, the family pointed out that Mr. Russell did not intend to harm anyone. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Patch confirmed there was a security incident underway at SeaTac. Who was Richard Russell? This is not a terrorist incident. Rainier. Lucas added, Theyve been in contact with the culprit. More: How did an airline worker manage to steal a commercial aircraft? Richard Russell was a suicidal airport ground services worker who stole an airplane from Sea-Tac International Airport. Officials were quick to point out that Russell, an employee of three and a half years with Alaska Airlines regional subsidiary Horizon Air, passed the background checks necessary to handle baggage and clean aircraft. By Kirk Johnson,Jacey Fortin and Christina Caron. He remembers growing up in Wasilla, camping and video games and building forts in the woods. The man a ground service agent identified as Richard B. Russell, according to a law enforcement official exposed a troubling reality of airport security in the post-9/11 era. You can listen to more archived aviation audio on the incident here, some of which captures the mans voice: The site Airline Geeks.com reported, Reports saying that two F-15s have intercepted an Alaska Air Q400, operated by Horizon Air., The Twitter page Royal S. King wrote, On a lake in Tacoma and 2 F-15 have intercepted at @AlaskaAir Q400 south of @SeaTacAirport. Another man wrote, @flytruenorth Are you following this story? A friend wrote on Facebook, So heart brokenhe was such a kind person to me. The episode raised questions about the little-known details of life on the tarmac, in the loading, fueling and cleaning operations of airplanes unglamorous work that is critical to public safety but often poorly paid. So many bags," he said. Its going to disappoint them to hear I did this, he hauntingly said before his death. Russell was interviewing several unidentified co-workers about how they liked working at Horizon. In this season of life we enjoy exploring as much as possible, whether its a day (or so) trip to one of Alaska Airlines destinations, or visiting a new area of Washington. There is a runway just off to your right side in about a mile, the controller says, referring to an airfield at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Rainier. SEATTLE The story is as bizarre as it is tragic: An airline worker who had no business being in a cockpit somehow took off from a major airport in a turboprop passenger plane, dipped and soared in the skies above the Seattle area, and then crashed into an island on Puget Sound. Ah, minimum wage. Richard Russell, AKA Rich or Beebo Russell, was named as the airport mechanic who stole a Horizon plane at Sea-Tac and crashed it. He attended Washington State Global University Campus from 2016-2017, seeking a bachelors degree in social science. 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. There were no other passengers on board. They rose together at 5 a.m., preparing breads and pastries in a shop that was little more than an oven, a sink and a couple counters, according to an article at the time from the Coos Bay World. Russell was studying for a degree in social sciences from Washington State University and wanted to move his way up to manager level in his company. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. It was hard to sleep last night. About to take off. "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. MECHANIC Richard Russell stole a passenger plane before performing loop-the-loops and crashing into an island. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt. In the article, Russell described himself as laid back and easy going. Our first date, he kind of cornered me into it, Hannah Russell said to the site. Never really knew it until now.. Periodically, his voice cut into the dispatches. The F.B.I. Tower tracking flight and in contact. Its blast, man, Mr. Russell replied. On YouTube, he also went by the name Beebo Russell. Ive played some video games before., In a later exchange, reported by the Wall Street Journal, Russell said: I know how to put the landing gear down. He then added: I really wasnt planning on landing it.. Russell took off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 7.32pm on Friday and flew, tailed by F-15 Eagle jets, until the plane crashed at 8.47pm into Ketron Island, located 25 miles south-west of the airport. Authorities said they dont think he had a pilots license and arent sure how he was able to take off, much less perform complicated tricks in the air like a barrel roll. At one point, Russell told a controller he had played a lot of video games. He was right in saying that there are so many people who have loved him.. Yeah I dont know what the burnageis like on a takeoff but yeah. Richard B. Russell, a ground service agent at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Ah, Rich, dont say stuff like that, the controller said. He is not a pilot and does not know how to land the plane. We were overworked, extremely underpaid, said Austin Duerr, who worked for Horizon from 2007 to 2012. They are grounding all planes and waiting. Videos taken by onlookers during Mr. Russells flight showed the plane doing deep dives, broad loops and at least one upside-down roll. A ground service agent at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport flew a stolen turboprop for just under an hour before eventually crashing 30 miles away. Wish me luck! Brandon Brown, who worked as a Horizon ground-service agent for six years, before leaving in 2017, said he used to talk with Russell about trips they would take. Writing in the blog two years ago, Russell celebrated his job at Horizon Air. Stay tuned., Richard Russell, Rich: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. Authorities don't know why he took the plane, but he could be heard on audio recordings telling air traffic controllers that he is "just a broken guy.". He is believed to have died when the plane crashed into Ketron Island, about 30 miles south of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, setting off a large forest fire. Officials said the jet has since crashed after it was followed by F-15 fighter jets A \"SUICIDAL\" airline mechanic stole an empty Horizon Air plane from Sea-Tac International Airport and was chased by military jets before crashing into a small island. Tue 12 July 2022 11:09, UK. Harrowing audio revealed Russell joking with the controllers who begged him to land the 76-seater plane before it nosedived and burst into a fireball 25 miles away. Russell went by "Beebo" on social media. Like a lot of bags. 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. Listening to the audio recordings, I feel nothing but sadness for Rich, for the man who stole that plane at #SeaTac and committed suicide. Rich, you said you had 2100 pounds of fuel left? the controller responded. One Horizon flight attendant said she expected to see and hear from management the day after the heist and crash. Anyone can read what you share. Its going to disappoint them to hear that I did this.. Richard Russell had a website that appears to have been for a college communications class. It evens out in the end.\" The plane crashed on Ketron Island in the south Puget Sound.Richard Russell \"Beebo's\" Original Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ765Fnec8QMusic credit: https://soundcloud.com/nicolai-heidlasNational Suicide Prevention LifelineCall 1-800-273-8255Available 24 hours everyday The hardest part of stealing a commercial plane from an international airport was already over for Richard Russell. He never talked about any mental-health issues, Fan said. Quite a scary experience. Sea-Tac airport confirmed the plane was down a short time later. David Odell, pastor at Russells Auburn church, also declined to discuss Russell, citing the familys wishes. In this season of life we enjoy exploring as much as possible, whether it is a day (or so) trip to one of Alaska Airlines destinations, or visiting a new area of Washington, Russell wrote in the blog. Here's how. The 2023 Met Gala theme explained, Met Gala 2023 looks: See photos of the show-stopping red carpet arrivals, Mother stung over 75 times by bees but her "quick thinking" saves kids, King Charles III's net worth and where his wealth comes from. Alaska Airlines officials said Mr. Russell had worked for Horizon for three and a half years, and was responsible for handling luggage and cargo and for towing aircraft. They moved to Sumner in 2015, to be nearer to her family, Russell wrote on the blog, and he got a job working for Horizon Air. Saw two fighter jets fly overhead then smoke pic.twitter.com/w0bveGUJQH, McKenna Brown (@mckenna_brown) August 11, 2018, A man named Ben Schaechter wrote on Twitter, Halfway down the runway on Alaska airlines out of Seattle and the pilot slams on the brakes and shares we must go back to the gate. He had worked his shift on Friday. As the voice recordings show, Beebos intent was not to harm anyone. I met Hannah in Coos Bay, Oregon in 2010 while we were both going to school, the about me section says. Pilots kept plane out of harms way and people on ground safe. Richard Russell had a website that appeared to have been for a college communications class. Authorities say he was suicidal. I met Hannah in Coos Bay, Oregon in 2010 while we were both going to school, the about me section says. He moved to Coos Bay, Oregon, attending Southwestern Oregon Community College, where he met Hannah Stracener at a church gathering in 2010. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Happening right now. He preciously worked as a ground service agent at Horizon from 2015 to present. In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his various travels. Video from Friday showed the Horizon Air Q400 doing large loops and other dangerous maneuvers as the sun set on the Puget Sound. Mike Criss, a family friend, whose son had been close friends with Russell since second grade, saidthat hed last talked to Russell in February. That means I lift a lot of bags, he said. Most importantly, he concluded, I get to visit those I love most., Richard Russell, Who Stole Plane Near Seattle, Raises Troubling Security Questions, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/11/us/seatac-stolen-plane-richard-b-russell.html. The plane didn't require a key, but it did require buttons and switches to be activated in a particular order. I feel really bad for Richard and for his family. Ive played some video games before.. The mans bizarre and ultimately doomed flight pushed fighter planes into action. Yeah I dont know what the burnageis like on a takeoff but yeah. A former coworker, Rick Christenson, told The Seattle Times: He was a quiet guy. The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. Damnit Andrew, peoples lives are at stake here, Rich said at one point in the audio, which you can listen to later in this article. "We consider ourselves bakery connoisseurs and have to try a new one every place we go.". Hannah, who had gone to culinary school, was detail oriented and ran the show, the newspaper reported, while her husband was more laid-back and eager to experiment with new and wild recipes.. We consider ourselves bakery connoisseurs and have to try a new one every place we go. . Aw man, those guys would rough me up if I tried landing there, Rich says. Russell was a ground agent who had limited access to planes and towing equipment. Holy smokes, Ive got to stop looking at the fuel because its going down quick.. A childhood friend remarked that Beebo was loved by everyone because he was kind and gentle to each person he met. Acted alone he is 29 year old Pierce county residence. Some dude stole a plane from #Seatac (Allegedly), did a loop-the-loop, ALMOST crashed into #ChambersBay, then crossed in front of our party, chased by fighter jets and subsequently crashed. The fighter jets were scrambled from Portland. Richard Russell raised pilot's suspicions a year before Sea-Tac plane heist, 'Video games'? Pilots wonder how plane thief learned to do aerial acrobatics, Sea-Tac Airport's security challenge: 12,600 people have access to aircraft, Sea-Tac officials, airlines to meet Monday to discuss security protocols after turboprop heist, "We were all screaming, 'Oh my god": How the Horizon Air theft and crash unfolded, Sea-Tac air traffic controller faced 'one in a million' scenario with stolen plane, SeaTacs much-publicized $15 an hour minimum wage. It is impossible to encompass who he was in a press release. The NTSB is now processing the equipment. On Facebook, Rich, using the name Beebo Russell, wrote that he lived in Sumner, Washington, was from Wasilla, Alaska, and was married to Hannah Russell, who works as an assistant pastry chef and waitress, according to her social media account. #SeaTac @king5 #ketron #dupont #andersonisland pic.twitter.com/78LC5PXKhU, Katreichel (@Katreichelart) August 11, 2018, The Sheriffs Department also wrote: Told F 15s made it within a few minutes of theft of plane. It may seem difficult for those watching at home to believe, but Beebo was a warm, compassionate man, the statement said. Tower, you need to call and scramble now, one pilot warned, according to the video. par | Avr 28, 2023 | how did gloria charles died | horseheads town court | Avr 28, 2023 | how did gloria charles died | horseheads town court (modern). The man who stole an empty Horizon Air plane from Sea-Tac International Airport before it crashed near Seattle was Richard Russell, a US official said on Saturday. Who is the aircraft on Runway 1-6 center? an air traffic controller can be heard saying. I played video games before so, you know, I know what Im doing a little bit., Man, Im sorry about this. Oh- theyve probably got anti-aircraftnot quite ready to bring it down just yet. #seatac pic.twitter.com/OVtJqphgqo. 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.\"Russell posted collages of photos from his trips around the world, writing that travel was \"what keeps me going in the most unfavorable circumstances.\"One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. Mr. Russell. On what is believed to be his personal blog , Richard Russell said he was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Alaska at age seven. But four former ground-service agents who worked with him keyed in on one line from the cockpit recording, a complaint about wages and a dig at management. Never before seen footage of Richard Russell Final Flight. In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport grounds and photos from his many trips. Someone sneak on board?, A man named Tyler Lucas wrote, Sitting on the runway at SeaTac, preparing for departure. Now, in new footage of the moments before he took off, the 29-year-old can be seen walking through airport security with a The Skys No Limit T-shirt. A plane has been stolen from Seattle-Tacoma international airport by an employee and crashed nearby, authorities have confirmed after flights were grounded in a major security incident.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. The man who stole a plane with no one else on board from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport late Friday has been identified as Richard Russell, 29, according to two unnamed law. I would like to apologize to each and every one of them. We believe there are no passengers on board. 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 I would like to dedicate this blog to the life of a ramper and highlight the remarkable contrast between our work and rest.. Russell, 29, was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Wasilla, Alaska, when he was 7, according to a blog he created for an online communications class at Washington State University. They had different personalities. Russell was a ground-service agent at Horizon, part of a two-person tow team that turned around airplanes. Its burned quite a bit faster than I expected., He also said, Im gonna land it, in a safe kind of manner. At one point, Rich reported that he threw up all over the cockpit, according to the audio. Audio from the SeaTac tower reported that aircraft were lined up on the tarmac at one point. Just a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess. An airline employee conducted an unauthorized takeoff without passengers at Sea-Tac; aircraft has crashed in south Puget Sound. Confirmed info .. this is a single suicide male. We had a ground stop for quite a while here, a dispatcher says. Like a lot of bags. The Port of Seattle released the video. Luke Adams ? In a video Russell made, he focused on the flight benefits that came with his job, which he used for a trip to France and frequent trips home to Alaska. HiIm a ground service agent. As the voice recordings show, Beebos intent was not to harm anyone and he was right in saying that there are so many people who love him.. Details of the apparent suicide were still emerging on Saturday, and no evidence of Russells motivations had been publicized beyond statements he made to air traffic controllers trying to coax him down. Others reported that the man had supposedly buzzed Mt. Russell, 29, who worked for Horizon Air as a ground service agent, took off in an empty Q400 turboprop plane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport without authorization at around 7:30 p.m.. Video related to richard russell, rich: 5 fast facts you need to know, Click to subscribe! The thief, Richard "Beebo" Russell, had just disconnected the tow bar of a tug vehicle he'd used to pivot the plane out of its parking spot. He was regularly alone in cockpits, for stretches that ranged from 10 to 45 minutes. SeaTac was the first city in the country to raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour, paving the way for much larger cities like Seattle, San Francisco and New York. Hey all! They married a year later and then opened a bakery that they ran together for three years. Richard Russell, a ground control agent, died after he stole the plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in August 2018 and drove it into the ground of a remote island in the Puget. In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his travels. Facebook/YouTube But is true.., Here is a statement from the family of Richard Russell, the Horizon Air employee who stole a plane, crashed it into Ketron Island.This is a complete shock to us. Newly released CCTV footage captures the harrowing moment a Washington state airport employee stole an Alaska Airlines plane and took it for a joyride before fatally crashing it. At one point, Rich asked for help in getting the cabin depressurized, complaining he was getting lightheaded. But the plane slammed into tiny Ketron Island, a sparsely populated island southwest of Tacoma. Maybe that will grease the gears a little bit with the higher-ups, he said at another point. We are aware of an incident involving an unauthorized take-off of a Horizon Air Q400. [8/10/2018] Alaska Airlines has confirmed there was an 'unauthorized take-off' of a plane at Seattle-Tacoma. The plane came down in a fiery crash on Ketron Island, about 30 miles from the airport. He would take my shifts if I needed. \"There is a runway just off to your right side in about a mile,\" the controller says, referring to an airfield at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. It seemed like he was well liked by the other workers. Failing to convince Hannah of Alaskas greatness, we settled on Sumner because of its close proximity to her family., Richard added, I, meanwhile, obtained a job working for Horizon Airlines (partnered with Alaska Airlines) so Im able to fly to Alaska at my leisure. Every time I traveled I would look out my plane window and see these sullen looking individuals leisurely pacing around, or hectically throwing bags into a cart. But lots of people get pushed at work, wish they were paid more and complain about management. 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