The perpetrator, 29-year-old Richard Russell, was a Horizon Air ground service agent with no piloting experience. Authorities said he used a tractor to rotate the plane 180 degrees, positioning it so that he could taxi toward a runway. That includes both domestic and international flights. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 4.3M views 7 months ago A newly released video sheds new light on the moments leading up to Richard Russell crashing a plane. Human remains were found in wake of Friday's tragic plane crash. Also see | 'I was blown away': Stepbrother of man who stole plane speaks out. The tower alerted the Portland Air National Guard base, which dispatched a group of US Air Force F-15s to intercept the rouge aircraft. Russell, 29 is presumed dead. "I always felt bad for the guys and gals who handled luggage. 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. 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. Each Thursday Ticket Takeover we giveaway prizes all day for different concerts, events, and more! In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport grounds and photos from his many trips. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Neither the men nor the plane has ever been seen again. 7 months ago. 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. Video from Friday showed the Horizon Air Q400 doing large loops and other dangerous maneuvers as the sun set on the Puget Sound. 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. It evens out in the end.". The rest of Mr Russell's time in the air was well documented, thanks to his regular contact with SeaTac's tower. "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. ", 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 jets' capability was appropriate to the potential task, one of the sources said, without offering details. The agency said that, had Mr Russell wanted, he could have recovered from the dive. Jeff Wise is a New York-based science journalist specializing in aviation and psychology. Investigators said Richard Russell worked alone when he was working as a ground service agent for the airline, and that he towed the turboprop out a hanger, climbed into the cockpit, and took off. "Everyone was literally frozen in place, muttering about what possibly happened," he said. His family says it's clear he didn't mean to harm anyone. The black boxes are now being sent to the National Transportation Safety Board for processing. Kathleen Reichel said she watched the planes pass by for about two minutes. Nah, Im a white guy.. 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. 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. Tragic as Russell's death was, he could have inflicted vastly more damage had he been so inclined. While searching the crash site, investigators also located human remains among the aircraft materials. At one point, he apologizes and says he is a "broken guy" with "a few screws loose. "I thought they were practicing for an air show," he said. Even with this new footage at hand, its hard to figure out what made Russell embark on this brazen, fatal adventure. Despite the timing of the crash during prime fire season, the fires in the video seemed to be small and scattered. In the footage, Mr Russell can be seen calmly moving through the airport wearing a black shirt that says "The Sky's No Limit." 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. He complimented the controller: "You are very calm, collect, poised," he said. How was a man able to steal and pilot a plane? Russell echoed those claims in his last conversation with air traffic control. He left prison after less than 5 years, on parole. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. 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. 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. What happened from then, left a. "This is a complete shock to us," the family said in a statement Saturday night. he joked. ", The statement said Russell, 29, was "a faithful husband, a loving son and a good friend. Earlier in the flight, Russell says: "This is probably, like, jail time for life, huh? 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. A Warner Bros. New video shows crash site of stolen plane 02:22 CNN Richard Russell was a funny, gentle and hardworking man, said family and a colleague of the airline employee who stole a passenger. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. 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. 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. If you miss out on Thursday, no worries! Russell's family said in a statement that they were stunned and heartbroken. The man has been identified as Richard Russell, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation confirmed to CNN on Saturday night. The man could be heard on audio recordings telling air traffic controllers that he is "just a broken guy." An FBI investigation found Alaska Airlines ramp employee Richard Russell intentionally crashed the aircraft after flying for more than an hour. But could you start a left-hand turn, please?". New video shows crash site of stolen plane. Richard B. Russell reportedly stole a Horizon Air plane for a joyride before crashing and killing himself near Seattle. Win Tickets to KISS at Climate Pledge Arena on November 6, 2023. Russell, a 3-1/2-year Horizon employee, worked as a ground service agent. Scroll down to continue . Copyright 2018 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. About to take off. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. He did not survive the crash. Minimum wage, we'll chalk it up to that. The job of a ground service agent includes directing aircraft for takeoff and gate approach, handling baggage and tidying and de-icing planes, authorities said. 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. "So, (he) had some knowledge but clearly wasn't a commercial pilot.". 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. The cause of the crash wasn't immediately known, but the F-15s did not bring the plane down, Eckrote 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. 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. 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. He also told the controller he "wasn't really planning on landing" the aircraft, and he described himself as "just a broken guy.". "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. After Russell performed an unauthorized takeoff, two McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. 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. In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport . "I would like to apologize to each and every one of them. 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. In a statement, the family says Richard Russell, whose nickname was "Beebo," was warm, kind and gentle. The worker performed several aerial stunts in the stolen aircraft before ultimately crashing on Ketron Island. 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. [deleted] 5 yr. ago. .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. "Nah, I mean, I don't need that much help. 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 plane eventually crashed on sparsely populated Ketron Island, starting a fire in the woods but injuring no one outside the plane. "Yeah, he knew how to fly," she continued. 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. 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. Airports nationwide will now look at whether their security procedures need to change, CNN safety analyst David Soucie said. 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 . He first can be seen wandering through security, and is spotted again later on the tarmac. Richard "Beebo" Russell, the Horizon Air employee who stole a plane from Sea-Tac Airport on Friday night, performed midair acrobatics over Puget Sound and then crashed into an island, was an. Win Your Trip to Our 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards! Weve got the Weekend Ticket Takeover! Richard B. Russell reportedly stole a Horizon Air plane for a joyride before crashing and killing himself near Seattle. According to his Facebook page, which had limited public access, he was from Wasilla, Alaska, and lived in Sumner, Washington, and was married in 2012. Russell, a Horizon Air ground service agent for three and a half years, was the only person aboard the plane, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department said. Richard Russell, 29, walks through employee security screening at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. appreciated. 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 responds: "Awwww-right. The sheriff's department described Russell as suicidal. 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. 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. I've played some video games before, he 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. ", "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. Airline officials believe he was in uniform and worked a shift Friday, Tilden said. An air traffic controller called him "Rich," and tried to convince him to land the airplane. By Jeff Wise Published: Aug 13, 2018 JASON REDMOND // Getty Images "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.". Russell repeatedly says he would do a roll. 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. It wasn't immediately clear what training, if any, Russell had in flying planes. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. He passed a series of background checks to gain his position, as he didn't have any criminal convictions. In the footage, Mr Russell can be seen calmly moving through the airport wearing a black shirt. among other things. Join the Celebration of a Lifetime! The sky thief Richard Russell captivated the audience's attention after the Authorities at the Port of Seattle released an airport surveillance video of plane stealing. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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. After proceeding through the pre-flight checklist and moving the pushback tractor, Mr Russell began rolling the plane toward a runway. 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. 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.". 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. Nearby co-workers weren't even aware of Russell's actions, which happened six hours into his shift, according to reporters. SEATTLE -- He cracked jokes, complimented the professional demeanor of an air traffic controller and apologized for making a fuss. 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. So many bags," he said. CNN's Kyung Lah reports. SeaTac's tower began asking who was piloting the airplane, which culminated in the first of Mr Russell's exchanges with control that day. An FBI investigation found Alaska Airlines ramp employee Richard Russell intentionally crashed the aircraft after flying for more than an hour. He eventually climbs inside the cockpit and fires up the engine. The NTSB is now processing the equipment. I mean, I would hope it is, for a guy like me. 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. 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,. "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. "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. 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! It was empty, parked at a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport cargo and . Meyer had recently been passed over for promotion and had been arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. On the other hand, Russell was reported to have been profoundly troubled, whereas Malaysian authorities were unable to find any evidence that Shah suffered from mental illness or was undergoing any kind of stress in his life. 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. / CBS/AP. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. 2023 Cox Media Group. ", "I've got a lot of people that care about me," the man later said. "Never really knew it till now," he said. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. John Waldron was walking along a trail near the bay when he noticed the two military jets following a plane doing aerobatics. July 13, 1994. He had no purpose to be at that plane Friday evening "other than what he did do," Tilden said. A ground service agent's tasks don't involve touching planes' controls, CNN aviation analyst Mary Schiavo said. 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. You know?". No one noticed the plane had disappeared until Mr Russell was in the air. "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.". It did not elaborate. A 777 Nearly Plunged Into the Ocean After Takeoff, In audio recordings released over the internet, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. The man has been identified as Richard Russell, a law enforcement official familiar with the investigation confirmed to CNN on Saturday night. Padilla and an a recently hired assistant boarded the plane, taxied it to the runway, took off, and head out over the Atlantic Ocean. "You think if I land this successfully, Alaska will give me a job as a pilot?" 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. Discovery Company. 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. Like a lot of bags. Photos show first responders that night sleeping outside on the ground. Authorities said Russell did not have a pilot's license. FBI released more information about Russell and the incident earlier this year, including witness statements from family, friends, and co-workers. August 11, 2018 / 11:29 PM July 4, 1986. (AFP/Getty Images) Russell, 29, flew the plane for 75 . 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. On board was 29-year-old Richard Russell, a baggage handler for Horizon Air who is also flying the plane for unknown reason. Domestic Flights, Airplane Door Rips Open Midflight on Russian Plane, Airport Worker Ingested Into Jet Engine, Dies, The Concorde Disaster, Battle Tanks, and More. 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. Never really knew it until now.". It's gonna be crazy," Mr Russel said. 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. All rights reserved. Colton Harris Moore only got 6 years for stealing a plane and crashing it. "I lift a lot of bags. Horizon airline employee, 28-year-old Richard 'Bebo' Russell, stole a plane and took off before crashing into remote Pierce County island Ultimately the FBI determined that Mr Russell intentionally brought the airplane into a dive onto a small island in Puget Sound, where he died. The plane didn't require a key, but it did require buttons and switches to be activated in a particular order. "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. Russell went by "Beebo" on social media. 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. Maybe that will grease some gears with the higher up, Russell said to air traffic controllers. I feel really bad for Richard and for his family. An hour and 45 minutes into the flight, Meyer crashed into the English Channel. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. 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 . Playing What We Want In Seattle! 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. 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. Officials don't believe Russell had a pilot's license, and they don't know how he knew to fly the plane. "I lift a lot of bags. He flew until the plane ran out of fuel and died in the ensuing crash. That's just not safe.". 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. F-15s were scrambled out of their base at Portland International Airport to intercept the plane. After Russell talked periodically with air traffic controllers for about an hour, the plane crashed at Ketron Island,officials said.