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. A ground service agent's tasks don't involve touching planes' controls, CNN aviation analyst Mary Schiavo said. In fact, there have been a number of occurrences in recent decades in which ground personnel made off with aircraft. The man has been identified as Richard Russell, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation confirmed to CNN on Saturday night. 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 plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? It's gonna be crazy," Mr Russel said. 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. 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 plane had been parked in a maintenance area and was not scheduled for a passenger flight, Tilden said. I hope they can make it through this.". Despite the timing of the crash during prime fire season, the fires in the video seemed to be small and scattered. Weve got the Weekend Ticket Takeover! 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! The agency said that, had Mr Russell wanted, he could have recovered from the dive. "My husband and I are recently former Boeing employees, and we were wondering why a jet was near the passenger airplane," she said. Ah, dammit. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Authorities sent fighter jets to escort him, and the controller repeatedly tried to direct him to runways. The jets were not involved in the crash, it said. He said flying was a "blast" and that he didn't need much help: "I've played some video games before.". KINGs Madison Wade reports. Subscribe to NBC News: http://nbcnews.to/SubscribeToNBC Watch more NBC video: http://bit.ly/MoreNBCNewsNBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that deliver compelling, diverse and engaging news stories. Video from a witness on the ground shows the plane at one point pulling up for a loop, putting the aircraft upside-down and then pulling back up just feet above a body of water. Meyer had recently been passed over for promotion and had been arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. The agency says the 28-year-old's loved ones hosted an intervention for him, who "seemed fine" besides increased drinking. Horizon's parent company, Alaska Airlines, refused to comment on claims of workers being overworked or underpaid. Moore stole (or stole and crashed) multiple airplanes, multiple boats, dozens of cars, etc. 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. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. 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. In the footage, Mr Russell can be seen calmly moving through the airport wearing a black shirt that says "The Sky's No Limit." Even with this new footage at hand, its hard to figure out what made Russell embark on this brazen, fatal adventure. 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. 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. Air traffic control became suspicious of Mr Russell after he cut in the line for takeoff. 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. By Louis Lucero II and Melissa Gomez. He passed a series of background checks to gain his position, as he didn't have any criminal convictions. Video from Friday showed the Horizon Air Q400 doing large loops and other dangerous maneuvers as the sun set on the Puget Sound. That's just not safe.". But could you start a left-hand turn, please?". Nah, Im a white guy.. 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. Jeff Wise is a New York-based science journalist specializing in aviation and psychology. While in the air, Meyer, whod been married eight weeks before, called his wife and said, Guess what? He left prison after less than 5 years, on parole. 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 cause of the crash wasn't immediately known, but the F-15s did not bring the plane down, Eckrote said. Lee Callahan in the morning, and the No Repeat Workday while you work! Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. 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. Relatives of Richard Russell say they are "stunned and heartbroken" after the airline worker stole a passenger plane Friday from the Seattle-Tacoma . He was immediately killed. / CBS/AP. 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. 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. The incident is bizarre and tragic, but it is not unprecedented. 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. 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. Now let's land that airplane safely and don't hurt anybody on the ground," the helping pilot radios. among other things. 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. Alaska Airlines flight 261 took off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on the morning of August 10, 2018. appreciated. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Newly-released videos from the Port of Seattle show the moments leading up to an airport worker crashing a stolen airplane nearly four years ago. He had no purpose to be at that plane Friday evening "other than what he did do," Tilden said. "There is a protocol to not allow anyone singularly to get onboard an aircraft," Soucie said. Please dont hesitate to utilize this resource. On board was 29-year-old Richard Russell, a baggage handler for Horizon Air who is also flying the plane for unknown reason. A Warner Bros. Other pilots and SeaTac's tower exchange information about Mr Russell as they quickly realise that something unusual is going on. 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. Tragic as Russell's death was, he could have inflicted vastly more damage had he been so inclined. "I thought they were practicing for an air show," he said. Join the Celebration of a Lifetime! We may earn a commission from links on this page. Photos show first responders that night sleeping outside on the ground. It wasn't immediately clear what training, if any, Russell had in flying planes. 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. Airports nationwide will now look at whether their security procedures need to change, CNN safety analyst David Soucie said. Airline officials believe he was in uniform and worked a shift Friday, Tilden said. 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. Investigators on Saturday were trying to retrieve the plane's flight data recorder and its cockpit voice recorder. "I lift a lot of bags. But the plane made turns and aerobatic maneuvers that suggest some skill, she said. 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. 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. During an exchange with air traffic controllers, Russell mentioned he had some experience using flight simulator software. The FBI released the findings of its investigation earlier this week, concluding 28-year-old ramp agent Richard Russell, also known as Bebo, stole the Horizon airplane and intentionally crashed it into the south end of Ketron Island. "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. video Plane crashes near Seattle airport. Ultimately the FBI determined that Mr Russell intentionally brought the airplane into a dive onto a small island in Puget Sound, where he died. Nearby co-workers weren't even aware of Russell's actions, which happened six hours into his shift, according to reporters. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. ", "I've got a lot of people that care about me," the man later said. "He was getting really stressed about the financial situation he was in. Please enter valid email address to continue. An FBI investigation found Alaska Airlines ramp employee Richard Russell intentionally crashed the aircraft after flying for more than an hour. I was kinda hoping that was going to be it. It was a strange day when Horizon Airlines Employee Richard "Beebo" Russell stole a plane in the middle of his working shift. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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? SEATTLE -- He cracked jokes, complimented the professional demeanor of an air traffic controller and apologized for making a fuss. The plane didn't require a key, but it did require buttons and switches to be activated in a particular order. 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. It evens out in the end.". ", Russell posted collages of photos from his trips around the world, writing that travel was "what keeps me going in the most unfavorable circumstances.". The black boxes will hopefully give investigators more clues as they try to figure out why Russell flew the plane into the ground. "Although investigators received information regarding Russells background, possible stressors, and personal life, no element provided a clear motivation for Russells actions.". 4.3M views 7 months ago A newly released video sheds new light on the moments leading up to Richard Russell crashing a plane. The rest of Mr Russell's time in the air was well documented, thanks to his regular contact with SeaTac's tower. Padilla and an a recently hired assistant boarded the plane, taxied it to the runway, took off, and head out over the Atlantic Ocean. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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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. "He was a quiet guy," Rick Christenson, an operational supervisor with the airline who retired in Maytold The Seattle Times. It did not elaborate. Russell, a 3-1/2-year Horizon employee, worked as a ground service agent. August 11, 2018 / 11:29 PM "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.". Also see | 'I was blown away': Stepbrother of man who stole plane speaks out. "Nah, I mean, I don't need that much help. The King County medical examiner ruled his death a suicide. 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. Reeves said he left Horizon because workers are overworked and underpaid. 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. About to take off. "Russell was known as a quiet guy who read a lot," according to one witness statement. His responsibilities included towing and pushing aircraft for takeoff and gate approach, de-icing them, and handling baggage. Russell repeatedly says he would do a roll. While investigators concluded Russell intentionally crash the plane, his motive still remains a mystery. In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport grounds and photos from his many trips. "Everyone was literally frozen in place, muttering about what possibly happened," he 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. What was the richard russell plane crash story all about. (AFP/Getty Images) Russell, 29, flew the plane for 75 . Like a lot of bags. That includes both domestic and international flights. "Most importantly," he said in a voiceover about his job, "I get to visit those I love most. "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. "Yeah, he knew how to fly," she continued. F-15 fighter jets scrambled to intercept the Q400, which ultimately crashed into Ketron Island, about 30 miles from the airport. 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. A Russian Air Force engineer made off with an Antonov An-26 transport plane from Kubinka Air Force Base near Moscow. Richard Russell, 29, walks through employee security screening at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. "You think if I land this successfully, Alaska will give me a job as a pilot?" Did you encounter any technical issues? "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. Later that day he stole an Alaska Air turboprop aircraft and crashed it into a remote island in Puget Sound. A curious and ultimately tragic story from 2018 finally has a little more context, thanks to security camera footage. New surveillance. (DAILY NEWS VIDEO) . Maybe that will grease some gears with the higher up, Russell said to air traffic controllers. An FBI investigation found Alaska Airlines ramp employee Richard Russell intentionally crashed the aircraft after flying for more than an hour. "Congratulations. The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. The man has been identified as Richard Russell, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation confirmed to CNN on Saturday night. In the footage, Mr Russell can be seen calmly moving through the airport wearing a black shirt. He complimented the controller: "You are very calm, collect, poised," he said. 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. 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. 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. F-15 "pilots kept plane out of harms way and people on ground safe," the sheriff's office tweeted. Russell was recorded having multiple conversations with air traffic controllers who were trying to talk him into landing. 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. How was a man able to steal and pilot a plane? Author: Elisa Hahn Published: 11/14/2018 5:51:22 PM So many bags," he said. The FBI also said it found human remains among the wreckage. "Seattle Ground, Horizon Guy. I don't know! Human remains were found in wake of Friday's tragic plane crash. "It's going to disappoint them to hear that I did thisJust a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess.". Playing What We Want In Seattle! Discovery Company. He first can be seen wandering through security, and is spotted again later on the tarmac. Russell went by "Beebo" on social media. He later stole the plane and eventually crashed it into an island in Puget Sound. An hour and 45 minutes into the flight, Meyer crashed into the English Channel. 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? This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. But the plane slammed into tiny Ketron Island, a sparsely populated island southwest of Tacoma. Also see | Cockpit audio from worker who stole empty plane from Sea-Tac Airport. Jason Silverstein contributed to this report. Nearby co-workers weren't even aware of Russell's actions, which happened six hours into his shift, according to reporters. I've played some video games before, he said. You know?". Im coming home! But it was not to be. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. "So, (he) had some knowledge but clearly wasn't a commercial pilot.". Aug. 12, 2018. "Oh man. 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. 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. 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. "I lift a lot of bags. 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. 2. 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. The plane eventually crashed on sparsely populated Ketron Island, starting a fire in the woods but injuring no one outside the plane. Foote served four and a half months in the brig and later went on to become a test pilot in civilian life. 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. 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. 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 body camera and cell phone video shows firefighters climbing through dense brush and fallen trees to get to the crash site on Ketron Island. Cooper? He was right in saying that there are so many people who have loved him.". The incident came about when a 29-year-old man stole an aircraft from Seattle-Tacoma International airport in August 2018. I feel really bad for Richard and for his family. 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 he crashed 25 miles away. 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. Richard Russell died in Friday's plane crash. F-15s were scrambled out of their base at Portland International Airport to intercept the plane. "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. All rights reserved. They say says this is a complete shock. May 25, 2003. 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. . Its not yet known exactly what pre-existing psychological conditions Russell may have had, but in the course of his conversation with air traffic controllers he expresses racial resentment. President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident and is monitoring the situation, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Saturday morning. Domestic Flights, Airplane Door Rips Open Midflight on Russian Plane, Airport Worker Ingested Into Jet Engine, Dies, The Concorde Disaster, Battle Tanks, and More. Having to rely on the ferry system for transport, the first 40 responding firefighters stayed at the scene throughout the night. CNN's Kyung Lah reports. 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.

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