Even with this new footage at hand, its hard to figure out what made Russell embark on this brazen, fatal adventure. The black boxes are now being sent to the National Transportation Safety Board for processing. "I thought they were practicing for an air show," he said. 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. He was in the air for about an hour. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. The black boxes will hopefully give investigators more clues as they try to figure out why Russell flew the plane into the ground. In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his travels. President Donald Trump was briefed on the incident and is monitoring the situation, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said Saturday morning. I was kinda hoping that was going to be it. Reeves said he left Horizon because workers are overworked and underpaid. Authorities said he used a tractor to rotate the plane 180 degrees, positioning it so that he could taxi toward a runway. 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. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. 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. and last updated 2018-08-12 08:56:01-04. It wasn't immediately clear what training, if any, Russell had in flying planes. All rights reserved. You did that. Airline officials believe he was in uniform and worked a shift Friday, Tilden said. "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.". Russell had no piloting experience, but he managed . FBI released more information about Russell and the incident earlier this year, including witness statements from family, friends, and co-workers. "My husband and I are recently former Boeing employees, and we were wondering why a jet was near the passenger airplane," she said. The sheriff's department described Russell as suicidal. But the plane made turns and aerobatic maneuvers that suggest some skill, she said. Having to rely on the ferry system for transport, the first 40 responding firefighters stayed at the scene throughout the night. "So, (he) had some knowledge but clearly wasn't a commercial pilot.". / CBS/AP. "Yeah, he knew how to fly," she continued. By Louis Lucero II and Melissa Gomez. (AFP/Getty Images) Russell, 29, flew the plane for 75 . When Rolling Stone published its article last year, no major regulatory or security changes had been implemented in response to Russells deadly flight. Not long before the crash, a pilot who'd been helping controllers advise Russell appears to mention the maneuver. 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 echoed those claims in his last conversation with air traffic control. "Never really knew it till now," he said. KIRO 7 spoke with Russells friend and former co-worker Robert Reeves who said Russell was a hard worker who loved aviation, but he admits Russell was unhappy with his pay. After proceeding through the pre-flight checklist and moving the pushback tractor, Mr Russell began rolling the plane toward a runway. The incident came about when a 29-year-old man stole an aircraft from Seattle-Tacoma International airport in August 2018. 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. 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. ", "Well," a controller responds, "we're not going to worry or think about that. The fuselage was fragmented and appeared to be upside down, said Debra Eckrote, regional chief for the National Transportation Safety Board. He complimented the controller: "You are very calm, collect, poised," he said. 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. Russell's family said in a statement that they were stunned and heartbroken. No one noticed the plane had disappeared until Mr Russell was in the air. 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. Tragic as Russell's death was, he could have inflicted vastly more damage had he been so inclined. ", "I've got a lot of people that care about me," the man later said. CNN's Kyung Lah reports.. Ben Charles Padilla, an aircraft mechanic who held a private pilots license and was a certified flight engineer, was repairing a 727 airliner in Luanda, Angola for a Florida-based company named Aerospace Sales and Leasing. "Tower, you need to call and scramble now," one Alaska Air pilot called out. It evens out in the end.". 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. Airports nationwide will now look at whether their security procedures need to change, CNN safety analyst David Soucie said. 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. F-15 "pilots kept plane out of harms way and people on ground safe," the sheriff's office tweeted. The U.S. National Suicide Prevention Hotline (1-800-273-8255) is online 24/7 to help you in a time of depression or desperation. 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. He left prison after less than 5 years, on parole. Music from Green Day, Michael Jackson, Queen, Billy Joel, Tom Petty, Madonna, Pearl Jam, Fleetwood Mac, and more! 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 . In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport grounds and photos from his many trips. 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. Later, a controller discusses getting a pilot on the radio to help Russell control the aircraft. "The greatest threat we have to aviation is the insider threat," said Erroll Southers, a former FBI agent and transportation security expert. A Russian Air Force engineer made off with an Antonov An-26 transport plane from Kubinka Air Force Base near Moscow. 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. 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. July 13, 1994. Russell took the Q400 from a cargo area at the north end of Sea-Tac Airport on August 10. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. 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. 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. In a statement, the family says Richard Russell, whose nickname was "Beebo," was warm, kind and gentle. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. So many bags," he said. CNN's Kyung Lah reports. 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. 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. Did you encounter any technical issues? May 23, 1969. They pursued the aircraft before it went down on Ketron Island, between Tacoma and Olympia. He first can be seen wandering through security, and is spotted again later on the tarmac. The FBI also said it found human remains among the wreckage. 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. Meyer had recently been passed over for promotion and had been arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct. That's just not safe.". 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. strangest, scariest, most bizarre events of 2018. Each Thursday Ticket Takeover we giveaway prizes all day for different concerts, events, and more! After Russell performed an unauthorized takeoff, two McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. Nah, Im a white guy.. "I lift a lot of bags. August 11, 2018 / 11:29 PM You know?". 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. Maybe that will grease some gears with the higher up, Russell said to air traffic controllers. 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. 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. (DAILY NEWS VIDEO) . Nearby co-workers weren't even aware of Russell's actions, which happened six hours into his shift, according to reporters. The agency says the 28-year-old's loved ones hosted an intervention for him, who "seemed fine" besides increased drinking. By Jeff Wise Published: Aug 13, 2018 JASON REDMOND // Getty Images Relatives of Richard Russell say they are "stunned and heartbroken" after the airline worker stole a passenger plane Friday from the Seattle-Tacoma . 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 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. 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. Witnesses described the surreal scene after the plane left the airport. among other things. It did not elaborate. He flew until the plane ran out of fuel and died in the ensuing crash. 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. Playing What We Want In Seattle! Also see | Cockpit audio from worker who stole empty plane from Sea-Tac Airport. It's gonna be crazy," Mr Russel said. 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. "In this plane, he certainly knew how to retract the landing gear, he coordinated both engines, powered them up to get a coordinated takeoff," she said. 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. "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. Horizon airline employee, 28-year-old Richard 'Bebo' Russell, stole a plane and took off before crashing into remote Pierce County island More Videos Next up in 5 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. Mr Russell's aerial joyride ultimately ended in a fiery crash on a remote island in Puget Sound. "Everyone was literally frozen in place, muttering about what possibly happened," he said. 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. .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. ", The statement said Russell, 29, was "a faithful husband, a loving son and a good friend. John Waldron was walking along a trail near the bay when he noticed the two military jets following a plane doing aerobatics. "Russell was known as a quiet guy who read a lot," according to one witness statement. The perpetrator, 29-year-old Richard Russell, was a Horizon Air ground service agent with no piloting experience. The FBI has recovered the flight data recorder and components of the cockpit voice recorder from the Horizon aircraft that crashed onto Ketron Island Friday night. "It seemed like he was well liked by the other workers. appreciated. Earlier in the flight, Russell says: "This is probably, like, jail time for life, huh? There were no passengers aboard. 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. The FBI will lead the investigation, said Eckrote, the NTSB regional chief. ", First published on August 13, 2018 / 5:34 AM. 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. 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. "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. 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. August 13, 2018 / 5:34 AM Like a lot of bags. Weve got the Weekend Ticket Takeover! What happened from then, left a. "It's going to disappoint them to hear that I did thisJust a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess.". As a flight controller tried to persuade him to land, he wondered aloud about whether he had enough fuel to make it to the Olympics, talked of the beautiful view, and said he had a lot of people who cared about him, apologizing for what he was doing. 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. 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. It was empty, parked at a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport cargo and maintenance area for the night after arriving from Victoria, British Columbia, earlier in the day.
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