The Associated Press contributed to this report. Human remains were found in wake of Friday's tragic plane crash. Win Tickets to Weezer with Spoon and White Reaper at White River Amphitheater on August 20th! He was killed in the crash. Authorities said Russell did not have a pilot's license. "Congratulations. 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. The King County medical examiner ruled his death a suicide. Russell responds: "Awwww-right. "I would like to apologize to each and every one of them. Russell had no piloting experience, but he managed . CNN's Kyung Lah reports. Nearby co-workers weren't even aware of Russell's actions, which happened six hours into his shift, according to reporters. The Sky Thief Richard Russell Plane Crash Video Gone Viral: What 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. 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. 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. . 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 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. Richard Russell said he didn't need much help: 'I've played some video 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. He's worked at Horizon longer than I did, and he still wasn't making $15 an hour, Reeves said. A Russian Air Force engineer made off with an Antonov An-26 transport plane from Kubinka Air Force Base near Moscow. There were no passengers aboard. Nearby co-workers weren't even aware of Russell's actions, which happened six hours into his shift, according to reporters. 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. FBI released more information about Russell and the incident earlier this year, including witness statements from family, friends, and co-workers. 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. One sketch that he posted included a drawing of a Q400 plane, the same kind of plane involved in Friday's crash. 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. ", "I've got a lot of people that care about me," the man later 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.". It's gonna be crazy," Mr Russel said. "Although investigators received information regarding Russells background, possible stressors, and personal life, no element provided a clear motivation for Russells actions.". "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. In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his travels. In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his various travels. I was kinda hoping that was going to be it. The plane had been parked in a maintenance area and was not scheduled for a passenger flight, Tilden said. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. After Russell performed an unauthorized takeoff, two McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. It's Troublingly Common for Ground Crew Members To Steal Planes Plus we let you know whats going on locally with Lee Callahans Jacktivities! 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. Each Thursday Ticket Takeover we giveaway prizes all day for different concerts, events, and more! Russell was credentialed to be in secure areas at the airport, said Brad Tilden, CEO of Alaska Air Group, which owns Horizon Air. An hour and 45 minutes into the flight, Meyer crashed into the English Channel. 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. August 22, 1979. 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. "It's going to disappoint them to hear that I did thisJust a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess.". The man could be heard on audio recordings telling air traffic controllers that he is "just a broken guy." What was the richard russell plane crash story all about. SEATTLE -- He cracked jokes, complimented the professional demeanor of an air traffic controller and apologized for making a fuss. Padilla and an a recently hired assistant boarded the plane, taxied it to the runway, took off, and head out over the Atlantic Ocean. Moore stole (or stole and crashed) multiple airplanes, multiple boats, dozens of cars, etc. 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. While searching the crash site, investigators also located human remains among the aircraft materials. Chilling CCTV footage shows Richard Russell stealing plane before fatal "Oh man. Richard Russell Stole a Plane in Seattle and Crashed It. How'd He Learn "This is a complete shock to us," the family said in a statement Saturday night. "Everyone was literally frozen in place, muttering about what possibly happened," he said. 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. 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. About to take off. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. among other things. Richard Russell, 29, walks through employee security screening at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. "So, (he) had some knowledge but clearly wasn't a commercial pilot.". The footage shows him going through security wearing a T-shirt. All Rights Reserved. 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. They say says this is a complete shock. I've played some video games before, he said. 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. The worker performed several aerial stunts in the stolen aircraft before ultimately crashing on Ketron Island. New video shows crash site of stolen plane. Witnesses described the surreal scene after the plane left the airport. The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. "Seattle Ground, Horizon Guy. 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. Richard Russell said he didn't need much help: 'I've played some video Enter for your chance to win a visit to the Disneyland Resort with 96.5 JACK FM! 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.
An airline employee stole an otherwise unoccupied passenger plane Friday from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and flew it for an hour with military jets chasing him before crashing in a wooded area 40 miles away.
. Richard Russell: quiet, well-liked Seattle airport worker who stole a plane . 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. 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. 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 seemed like he was well liked by the other workers. 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. Ultimately the FBI determined that Mr Russell intentionally brought the airplane into a dive onto a small island in Puget Sound, where he died. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. 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. "He was a quiet guy," Rick Christenson, an operational supervisor with the airline who retired in Maytold The Seattle Times.