Although he was born in Key West, Fla. he moved to Wasilla when he was 7, according to a website he made in 2017. He somehow managed to execute a barrel roll and a few other aerobatic maneuvers before crashing the aircraft onto a sparsely populated island, killing only himself. My logo draft will be a generic suit case with minimalistic travel stickers, encircled by the text: Russell Hustle. 2:18. After listening many times to the recordings, I found his voice - alternately warm, scared, and funny - to . You couldnt even tell it was a plane except for some of the bigger sections, like the wing section, western Pacific region chief Debra Eckrote said. Rainier, the Olympic Mountains). This dives into the psychology and reason of why he Hi-jacked a plane and . #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. [37] During his communication with air traffic control, Russell made a complaint about wages, stating: "Minimum wage, we'll chalk it up to that. Tower, you need to call and scramble now, one pilot warned, according to the video. #iflyalaska #akedchat.. I dont want to hurt no one. Richard Russell plane crash video was released. She foiled their plans. On September 3rd, CNN reported that an airport worker named Cory Wayne Patterson had stolen a twin-engine plane from Tupelo Aviation and was threatening to crash it into a Mississippi Walmart. Our first date, he kind of cornered me into it, Hannah Russell said to the site. Just kind of soaring around, he told air traffic control. Phillip Hamilton. The majority of the memes are in celebration and memorial of Russell, while others are more trollish shitposts. Can Humans Detect Text by AI Chatbot GPT? 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 worked as an assistant pastry chef and waitress, according to her social media account. We believe there are no passengers on board. What happened from then, left a. Who's Afraid of the Rorschach Inkblot Test? As the voice recording shows, Beebos intent was not to harm anyone and he was right in saying that there are so many people who loved him.. Theres something wrong with all of us. This is not a terrorist incident. Yay air force . Updated Nov 30, 2022 at 4:37pm. Britain is in the grip of a male suicide crisis. I would like to apologize to each and every one of them. We've received your submission. Beebos intent was not to harm anyone, and he was right in saying that there are so many people who loved him, Mathews said. [20] A veteran pilot said the maneuver "seemed pretty well executed, without either stalling or pulling the wings off. About to take off. Alaska Air Group CEO Brad Tilden said at a news conference Saturday that Russell worked for Horizon Air for four years and was on the clock and in uniform when he stole the twin-engine turboprop plane, which was parked in a cargo lot at the time. Not entirely sure whats happening. [4][6][9] A tow boat crew was the first to respond. The new footage appears to show Russell wearing a shirt that reads "The Sky's No Limit . Audio captured emotional conversations between the man, named as Rich, and air traffic controllers trying to help him land safely. Full video form John Waldron on Facebook being shown on CNN #seatac pic.twitter.com/R98bl5uQBr. So I dont know how he achieved the experience that he did.. "[43] Some co-workers said that Russell had probably trained himself to fly using amateur flight simulation software. The incident came to a tragic end when Russell intentionally crashed the plane into Ketron Island in Puget Sound, killing him. After performing the stunt, along with other maneuvers, the plane crashed on Ketron Island in the Puget Sound. Maybe that will grease some gears a little bit with the higher-ups. Rich, you said you had 2100 pounds of fuel left? the controller responded. However, late in the evening of August 10, 2018, tower audio indicated that some planes were being released. A childhood friend remarked that Beebo was loved by everyone because he was kind and gentle to each person he met. All Rights Reserved. Richard Russell had a website that appears to have been for a college communications class. The general feeling was, "It is a wonder that more of us don't crack from the tedium and meaninglessness of our consumer culture." Then, about an hour after he took off, Russell plunged into sparsely populated Ketron Island 25 miles southwest of the airport, sparking an intense fire. Radio banter in between, ending with the intercept audio for Rock 41 and Rock 42. suicidepreventionlifeline.org afsp.org AIRBOYD #SeaTac #ChambersBay #Q400 #Horizon. 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 Sound . Was doing stunts in air or lack of flying skills caused crash into Island. The Sheriffs Department added, Two military F 15 chased plane but was not involved in crash and confirmed, No passengers on plane.. bit.ly/subAIRBOYD Various scanner recordings from liveatc.net and broadcastify.com SEA Ground, Tower, Departure/Approach. Powered by. Facebook Richard Russell plane crash video was released. He has buzzed Mt Rainer and the Seattle area. TikTok Influencers Son Murdered at Gas Station. The flight data recorder may show how well Russell managed the aircrafts myriad functions. I'm listening through the archive of the radio chatter on the #seatac hijacking. It was a lie. Plane is a Q4. Someone plucked a bag off a conveyor belt. We are working back ground on him now, the Pierce County Sheriff wrote. Oh, a purple one! Russell exclaimed. Without Him we would be hopeless. "Got a few screws loose, I guess. He did a barrel roll in a stolen plane and went out in a blaze of glory. He tilted the wings and rumbled low over Puget Sound. He and his wife Hannah started a bakery in Oregon in their early 20s, according to a 2012 story in a local paperthat depicted a happy, determined couple. Now a family is left to reckon with tragedy, while strangers find grim inspiration in his final act. [25][26] No injuries were reported to residents of the sparsely populated island despite the crash site being in close proximity to at least one cabin, which was occupied at the time of the incident. A 2012 article in the World described how Russell met his wife. i cut the audio from a frequency hopper that caught some of what they said to each other. A Port of Seattle official, Mike Pohl, said that Russell used an airport tractor to pull the parked plane onto a runway, which he would have known how to do, as part of his job in ground service was towing airplanes. Male is confirmed a suicidal male. Sep 09, 2022 at 02:47PM EDT No one else is thought to have been injured or killed, and the fighter jets did not fire . He spoke of wanting to do "a couple maneuvers to see what it [the aircraft] can do", and requested the coordinates of an orca that had been brought to national attention, saying, "I want to go see that guy." I hope they can make it through this. He said that airline employees go through background checks. ? wrote one woman on Twitter, echoing the comments of many people who heard the audio. 1,012 words / 5:32 To listen in a player, click here. He gradually drifted into controlled airspace near Los Angeles International Airport, causing some alarm both to the authorities and to the pilots of at least two commercial jets. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Thats McChord field, the controller tells Richard Russell. "[34], Richard Russell was a Horizon Air ground service agent from Sumner, Washington. He doesnt sound confident in his ability to land back at SeaTac. But he mentioned video games during his recorded conversation with air traffic control, which some have taken as a reference to flight simulator software. We love you bud. HiIm a ground service agent. He played athletics in high school in Wasilla, Alaska. Another called it cathartic and liberating.. . I dont need that much help; Ive played some video games before, he told the controllers trying to help him. It may seem difficult for those watching at home to believe, but Beebo was a warm, compassionate man. Before takeoff, the pilot explains someone stole an airplane, and is flying around near Mt. 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. Memes about Sky King spread across the internet after the incident. The family thanked authorities, Alaskair, the community and Russells friends and family. At one point, Rich asked for help in getting the cabin depressurized, complaining he was getting lightheaded. I was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Wasilla, Alaska when I was 7. Florida man accused of killing daughter's dogs by locking Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Alex Murdaugh shaves head for latest mugshot after learning his fate for killing his wife, son, Heather Dubrows youngest child comes out as transgender, Tom Sandoval drops out of interview amid backlash from Raquel Leviss scandal, Rebel Wilson says Meghan Markle isnt as naturally warm as Prince Harry, March 4, 1984: Martina Navratilova defeats Chris Evert at MSG, Tom Sizemore And The Dangerous Burden of Desperation, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims. Its not clear whether Russell, 29, had ever really flown a plane before. [33], On November 9, the FBI stated that it had completed its investigation. More information as we learn more. Russell told controllers midflight that he played video games in preparation, but it was not clear whether he meant flight simulators some of which are commercially available and depict exhaustive and realistic measures to start an aircraft. After Russell performed an unauthorized takeoff, two McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. Richard "Beebo" Russell grew up in Alaska, but moved around and got married before he ended his life in Washington when he stole a passenger airplane and crashed it on a Puget Sound island. He was a faithful husband, a loving son, and a good friend. I was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Wasilla, Alaska when I was 7. How was he able to take off without being stopped? Nah, I'm a white guy. Russell cites his position at Horizon in his blog as well. Mourners gathered in the comments section of his YouTube video. You can listen to all of his SoundCloud clips here. This story has been shared 176,044 times. [20], Videos and radio transmissions of the event were followed online, immediately sparking a meme dubbing Russell the "Sky King". 1.6K. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt. In the article, Russell described himself as laid back and easy going. 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.. Russell, the sole occupant during the flight, did not survive. He had broken up with his girlfriend of 15 years and was having trouble finding steady work. He could have envisioned an aerial joyride and return to the ground. On 4chan,[7][8] threads dedicated to Russell were submitted over the next several days, many of which contained photoshops, image macros and fan arts praising the incident and referring to Russell as "Sky King" (shown below). [4] The New York Times Richard Russell Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Questions, [5] The Washington Post Richard Russell Details emerge of a compassionate man after Seattle plane heist and fiery crash, [6] CBS News Richard Russell pilot of stolen Horizon Air plane had lighthearted tone before deadly crash, [10] CNN Pilot arrested after threatening to crash plane into Mississippi Walmart and eventually landing in a field, police say, [14] 4chan Pilot threatening to crash hijacked plane into Walmart in Tupelo, Mississippi, Both were armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles[12] and went supersonic, generating sonic booms on the way to the Puget Sound area. A moniker quickly took hold, echoed by others. "[17] He asked ATC if he could get a job as a pilot with Alaska Airlines if he successfully landed the aircraft. [10] According to reports, Patterson called 911 from the plane and threatened to crash it into a Mississippi Walmart. He hoped perhaps to commission in the military after graduation. I would hope it is for a guy like me. People on Twitter who were following the aviation audio reported that the man attempted a barrel roll with the plane at one point. 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. He was always smiling.. Glenn Sullivan, Ph.D., is a professor of psychology at the Virginia Military Institute and a clinical psychologist in private practice in Lexington, Virginia. [45] The aircraft was worth $30million, all of which was paid under the company's insurance policy "with no deductibles. The story, despite seeming near-mythic, is true. He grins in selfies at work. No one else is thought to have been injured or killed, and the fighter jets did not fire on him, authorities said. The media also started sharing audio clips of ongoing conversations between Russell and an air traffic controller. Who Is The 'Sky King' Richard Russell And How Did He Earn His Title? The chilling footage of his final moments next shows Russell jumping onto the plane and presumably getting into the cockpit. "Nah, I'm a white guy." Russell said to dispatchers, You think if I can land this successfully, Alaska will give me a job as a pilot? and the Air Traffic Control tower said, I think they will give you a job doing anything if you pull this off. He replied, according to some sites, Yeah right! [39] He was an avid traveler and attended Washington State University Global Campus, majoring in social science. Residents of the island bore some of the cost for cleaning up, and negotiations were initiated for their reimbursement by Alaska Airlines' insurers. by Audio captured emotional conversations between the man, named as Rich, and air traffic controllers trying to help him land safely. An airline employee conducted an unauthorized takeoff without passengers at Sea-Tac; aircraft has crashed in south Puget Sound. | August 10, 2021 by Kirk Forlatt. In the audio clips, Russell calls himself "broken" and says he knows how to fly a little bit thanks to video games. Gary Beck, CEO of Horizon Air, told The Seattle Times it was impressive that Russell pulled off incredible maneuvers like a barrel roll with no flying experience. His familys brief statement did not address any potential mental health issues. The plane started moving, but Russell jumped in the plane and took off. Latest update from tower indicates no interest on his part to land the plane. It may seem difficult for those watching at home to believe, but Beebo was a warm, compassionate man, the statement read. [15] He said he was a "broken guy, got a few screws loose I guess. I sure married a nice pair of calves! she joked with a photo of the couple. Excerpts taken from Mr. Ballen 's video on the Sky king.Top 3 stories that sound fake but are 100% real | Part 5:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zaa53S-8lDMMr.Ballen's Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtPrkXdtCM5DACLufB9jbsAHIJACKED SEATTLE PLANE INSANE FOOTAGE, TRAFFIC CONTROL AUDIO, CRASH DAMAGE:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeYVtVg6aGs Raw: Family Press Conference For Suicidal Mechanic Who Stole Plane In Seattle:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5fFJgdhBm4Stepbrother of Richard \"Beebo\" Russell talks about stolen plane incident:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FvRMhQ44kYMusicFrom Internet Archive, Public Domain MusicThe Pachelbel Canon: by Orchestre De Chambre Jean-Franois Paillardhttps://archive.org/details/lp_the-pachelbel-canon-and-other-baroque-favo_orchestre-de-chambre-jean-franois-paillard/disc1/01.02.+Canon+In+D+For+Strings+And+Continuo.mp3Pachelbel's Canon in D:https://archive.org/details/PachelbelsCanoninD 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. He was very, very friendly automatically willing to bring everyone in, Hannah Holmes, who also participates in Young Life, told The Seattle Times. Like a lot of bags. Aw man, those guys would rough me up if I tried landing there, Rich says. Russell said on the aviation audio, This is probably jail time for life, huh? On October 6, 1993, now aged 44, he hiked into the Angeles National Forest and died by self-inflicted gunshot. Rest in peace Rich. His conversation and tone is very casual. Happening right now. Apparently someone stole a Horizon Q and is flying it over SeaTac. Sea-Tac airport confirmed the plane was down a short time later. 2007-2023 Videos of the plane being followed by two F-15 fighter jets started going viral online as the story broke. Because I am a clinical psychologist, people come up to me after a news event like this and ask my opinion. Hannah and Beebo met at a Campus Crusade for Christ gathering at Southwestern Oregon Community College last year, the site reported. Weird times. 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. Compilation of footage of the aircraft being flown erratically in the vicinity of Seattle, and the pursuing F-15s, News report featuring surveillance footage, Man Steals a Passenger Plane and Crashes it Just After Takeoff (With Real Video), Washington State University Global Campus, "National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Preliminary Report Accident Number: WPR18FA220", "Update on Investigation into Unauthorized Flight", "Alaska Air Horizon plane crashes after being stolen by airline employee", "How it unfolded: Full coverage of the Horizon Air crash and the man who stole the plane from Sea-Tac", "Stolen plane was chased by military jets before it crashed", "Crash: Horizon DH8D at Ketron Island on Aug 10th 2018, stolen aircraft crashed into forest", "Stolen plane closes Seattle-Tacoma airport before crashing", "Oregon F-15s Scramble To Seattle To Intercept Possibly Stolen Q400 Airliner (Updated)", "F-15Cs Intercept Stolen DASH-8 Airliner out of Seattle Tacoma Airport Before Crash", "LIVE: Plane stolen from Sea-Tac Airport crashes on small island; no passengers on board", "Pilot wanted to do aerobatics, apologized for his actions as he spoke with air traffic control", "NORAD F-15Cs intercept suicidal pilot in dramatic chase near Seattle", "Passenger Plane Stolen by Employee Crashes on Island Near Seattle Airport", "Seattle hijacker's plane heist, midair stunts and fiery crash expose gaps in aviation security", "Richard Russell, 'Rich': 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know", "Airline worker who stole plane told air traffic control 'I don't want to hurt no one', "SeaTac Hijacker Had the Skills to Take Out a Skyscraper Horizon Air ground handler Richard Russell knew how to fly without tearing the plane apartand enough fuel to be a flying bomb. He would take my shifts if I needed. The federal agencies will lead the investigation. In 1993, Lawnchair Larry Walters was named an At-Risk Survivor in the annual Darwin Awards. To impress a woman, he arrived in a helicopter to take her on a classified mission, officials said. 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. Mr. Russell was clearly overwhelmed with the world in which he found himself, a world vandalized, a world stripped of his ancestral . Beck said the aerial maneuvers were "incredible" and that he "did not know how [Russell] achieved the experience that he did. This story has been shared 110,450 times. Russells family released a statement to the news media expressing great shock and remembering Russell for his compassion. Gary Beck, chief executive of Horizon Air, told reporters Saturday that the acrobatics and maneuvers, including barrel rolls and one loop that brought Russell feet from the waters surface, wereincredible.. He attended Washington State Global University Campus from 2016-2017, seeking a bachelors degree in social science. [24] Delayed by the SteilacoomAnderson Island ferry, firefighters from West Pierce Fire and Rescue and other nearby departments arrived on the island about an hour and a half after the crash, where they then contended with the island's thick brush. They turned him into a hero with the name, and with it came a lot of memes. He worked at the airline for more than three years, authorities said. Facebook/YouTube How Psychologically Conditioned Rats Are Defusing Landmines, The Innate Intelligence Observed in the Dying Process, 6 Signs That Youre Depressed and Ignoring It. . And part of his job was to drive the tractor that backed the aircraft into position for takeoff. There is the runway just about a mile off your right side, do you see that? "Sky King" is a nickname given to 29-year-old ground service operator Richard Russell after he stole a Horizon Air Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 airliner from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) and died after crashing on Ketron Island in Puget Sound. I was kind of hoping that was gonna be it, you know? Holy smokes, Ive got to stop looking at the fuel because its going down quick.. The libs are trying to solve the housing crisis in deep blue areas by having teachers live with their students. Facebook Reviewed by Ekua Hagan. He then boards an empty 70-seater plane and took off. The Russell family released a statement Saturday evening, saying they were stunned and heartbroken over the incident and the loss of aman they called Beebo. On social media, Richard Russell quickly became something of a folk hero, but people also felt sadness and empathy for his pain and his plight. On social media, Richard Russell used the name Beebo Russell. (If you need help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.). Preliminary info is that a mechanic from unknown airlines stole plane. Hijacker does not know how to land the plane. The man, known as Rich in air traffic control audio and dubbed the sky king on Twitter, broke hearts on social media as people followed the unauthorized flight before it came to a fatal end. in correct chronological orderthis took pIace over about 75 minutes. The 2 Most Psychologically Incisive Films of 2022, The Surprising Role of Empathy in Traumatic Bonding, Two Questions to Help You Spot a Clingy Partner-to-Be. Maybe that will grease the gears a little bit with the higher-ups, he said at another point. The incident spawned numerous image macros, photoshops and fan arts on 4chan and other online communities. On Facebook, his favorite quotes were religious in nature, including, God IS Love and No Guilt in Life, No Fear in Death, this is the Power of Christ in Me, and a non religious line, This is America.. I had this dream for 20 years, and if I hadnt done it, I think I would have ended up in the funny farm. That is an example of what we clinicians call good insight.. [20], Russell's family released a statement on August 11, stating they were "stunned and heartbroken" and "devastated by the events". The Port of Seattle released the video. A former coworker, Rick Christenson, told The Seattle Times: He was a quiet guy. [14] The transmissions were quickly recorded and posted on social media websites. On Instagram, Hannah Russell posted recent photos with Rich. He also posted audio clips of interviews he conducted to SoundCloud for what appears to have been a multimedia college class. The couple settled in Sumner, Wa., where Russell got a job at Horizon Air, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, so he could easily fly back to Alaska to see his own family. (@luketadams) August 11, 2018. First, it would provide a simple explanation that makes the incomprehensible seem comprehensible. Hannah and Beebo met at a Campus Crusade for Christ gathering at Southwestern Oregon Community College last year, the site reported. He stated that he did not want to hurt anyone,[17][19] and in the final minutes of the communication apologized to his friends and family. Russell, the sole occupant of the aircraft, perished in the crash. Video related to richard russell, rich: 5 fast facts you need to know, Click to subscribe! 7 Ticking Time Bombs That Destroy Loving Relationships, The Single Best (and Hardest) Thing to Give Up, 3 Ways to Reclaim Your Hope and Happiness. Theyre not as easy to fly as, say, a Cessna 150, Beck said. I hope this prompts a nationwide discussion about mental healthcare overall. The plane crashed through several lines of 100-foot trees, the National Transportation Safety Board said, according to CNN. steal a Horizon Air Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 airliner. [5] It was not scheduled to fly again that day. The incident aircraft was a Bombardier Q400, owned by Horizon Air (and operating for Alaska Airlines) with the registration N449QX[2][3][4] and serial number 4410. The day of the incident, a thread on 4chan's /pol/[14] board about the incident gained over 470 posts. I think I might mess something up there, too. About. "[42] During his conversation with air traffic control, Russell said he "[knew] what [he was] doing a little bit" because he had experience playing video games. Audio starts with another aircraft reporting the Q400 exiting the maintenance/cargo area and taking off without clearance. Purportedly, when the arresting officers asked why he had risked his life with such a stunt, he said, A man cant just sit around., Later, he told the press, It was something I had to do. [20], On April 14, 2022, the FBI released 500 pages of previously classified documents related to the investigation. But after that apology, oblivion seemed like the only option left to him. Legal Information: Know Your Meme is a trademark of Literally Media Ltd. By using this site, you are agreeing by the site's terms of use and privacy policy and DMCA policy. New footage has been released from a 2018 incident in which an airline ground service agent named Richard Russell stole a turboprop plane from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and crashed it into an island in the Puget Sound. pic.twitter.com/ziBAYv7cgn, Jimmy Thomson (@jwsthomson) August 11, 2018. The individual did use a pushback tractor to rotate the aircraft 180 degrees so he could then taxi the aircraft, Pohl said at the news conference Saturday. Magazines, stole a plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Or create a free account to access more articles, 'Beebo Was Loved By Everyone.' On Facebook, he had liked the Republican Party and conservative personalities like Sean Hannity and Ben Shapiro. Russell, a ground services worker for Horizon Air, was permitted to get very close to passenger aircraft. Stay tuned., Another indicated, Seatac airspace closed. Here's the full story. I think Im gonna try to do a barrel roll, and if that goes good, Im just gonna nose down and call it a night., Hannah Russell: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know.