Subscribe to NBC News: nbcnews.to/SubscribeToNBC Watch more NBC video: bit.ly/MoreNBCNews NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news. A childhood friend remarked that Beebo was loved by everyone because he was kind and gentle to each person he met. Never really knew it, until now, Richard Russell said at one point. The thief, Richard "Beebo" Russell, had just disconnected the tow bar of a tug vehicle he'd used to pivot the plane out of its parking spot. A 2012 article in the World described how Russell met his wife. Every time I traveled I would look out my plane window and see these sullen looking individuals leisurely pacing around, or hectically throwing bags into a cart. The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. We were married one year later, and one month after that we opened a bakery which we successfully ran for 3 years, he explained on his website of his wife. I hope they can make it through this, retired Horizon Air operations supervisor Rick Christenson told the Times. Mike Criss, a family friend, whose son had been close friends with Russell since second grade, saidthat hed last talked to Russell in February. Wish me luck! The records say 28-year-old Alaska Airlines ground worker Richard Russell of Sumner, Washington, entered the empty turboprop passenger aircraft about 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10 as it sat on an airport. Audio starts with another aircraft reporting the Q400 exiting the maintenance/cargo area and taking off without clearance. / CBS/AP. View our online Press Pack. I feel really bad for Richard and for his family. He was a faithful husband, a loving son, and a good friend. I dont know how he achieved the experience he did.. Fan, who last saw his childhood friend last year when they met up for a night of pizza and beer in Las Vegas, said the travel benefits were important to Russell. A week after Russell stole a 76-seat passenger planefrom Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, traversing the Puget Sound region for more than an hour before crashing to his death on Ketron Island, there are few hints as to why he did it or how he was able to fly a commercial airplane. "I lift a lot of bags. Normal operations at Sea-Tac Airport have resumed. More information as we learn more, Alaska Airlines wrote on Twitter around 9:20 p.m. on the west coast. We are stunned and heartbroken, according to the statement, which described Mr. Russell as a faithful husband, a loving son and a good friend. At the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, thousands of passengers in the terminal or left sitting in planes on the tarmac were delayed. The plane was not scheduled for a flight when Mr. Russell commandeered it. Mr. Russell and his wife were active church members, Mr. Orr said, so he doesnt really fit the bill of someone who would steal an airplane., Funniest person in the room, he added. . Richard Russell raised pilot's suspicions a year before Sea-Tac plane heist, 'Video games'? Russells dramatic theft and crash prompted increased security checks at Sea-Tac and calls for a nationwide review of security measures. "In this season of life, we enjoy exploring as much as possible, whether its a day (or so) trip to one of Alaska Airlines destinations or visiting a new area of Washington," he wrote. After Russell performed an unauthorized takeoff, two McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. Richard Russell, a ground control agent, died after he stole the plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airportin August 2018 and drove it into the ground of a remote island in the Puget Sound, authorities said at the time. field office in Seattle, which is leading the investigation, said it would cast a wide net in finding out what happened and why. "You think if I land this successfully, Alaska will give me a job as a pilot?" But the consequences of the unauthorized flight on Friday evening are monumental, aviation experts and investigators said. More information as we learn more. Russells death and the dramatic moments that preceded it a passenger plane trailed by F-15 fighter jets cutting rolls against the setting sun left those who knew him stunned and saddened. Its gonna be crazy, he said at one point in air traffic control transmissions. The chilling footage of his final moments next shows Russell jumping onto the plane and presumably getting into the cockpit. But it allows me to do some pretty cool things, too, he added, segueing to footage of a flight tour over Ketchikan, Alaska, followed by images of several countries including France, Ireland and Mexico. (If you need help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.). Minimum wage, well chalk it up to that, Russell said on the flight radio to air traffic controllers. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. There is a runway just off to your right side in about a mile, the controller says, referring to an airfield at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. On Friday, 29-year-old Richard Russell, a ground employee at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, managed to sneak onto an empty commercial aircraft and took it for an . I dont need that much help; Ive played some video games before, he told the controllers trying to help him. 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 works as an assistant pastry chef and waitress, according to her social media account. Russell said on the aviation audio, This is probably jail time for life, huh? Russell took off from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 7.32pm on Friday and flew, tailed by F-15 Eagle jets, until the plane crashed at 8.47pm into Ketron Island, located 25 miles south . ?, One woman wrote on Twitter, he has stolen a big Horizon turbo prop. Authorities said they dont think he had a pilots license and arent sure how he was able to take off, much less perform complicated tricks in the air like a barrel roll. At one point, Russell told a controller he had played a lot of video games. He was regularly alone in cockpits, for stretches that ranged from 10 to 45 minutes. I was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Wasilla, Alaska when I was 7. Although he didnt have a pilots license, Russell knew how to work the plane from his experience as an airport employee, the FBI previously said. Most importantly, he concluded, I get to visit those I love most., Richard Russell, Who Stole Plane Near Seattle, Raises Troubling Security Questions, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/11/us/seatac-stolen-plane-richard-b-russell.html. Saw two fighter jets fly overhead then smoke pic.twitter.com/w0bveGUJQH, McKenna Brown (@mckenna_brown) August 11, 2018, A man named Ben Schaechter wrote on Twitter, Halfway down the runway on Alaska airlines out of Seattle and the pilot slams on the brakes and shares we must go back to the gate. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt. In the article, Russell described himself as laid back and easy going. They said the family is moving forward with the difficult talk of processing our grief and asked for space to mourn. A man who answered the door at the Graham home of Russells mother-in-law Wednesday made it clear that the family did not intend to comment further. I just want you to whisper sweet nothings into my ear, said Rich, who claimed he could fly the plane because he played video games. Richard Russell The airline employee who stole a commercial plane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Friday night and flew it through the skies before crashing it, killing himself, has been identified by colleagues as Richard "Beebo" Russell. Our focus continues to be supporting our employees, providing support for his family and cooperating fully with the investigation, Horizon spokeswoman Bobbie Egan said. Richard Russell plane crash video was released. 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 . In recordings of Mr. Russells remarkable conversation with air traffic controllers, he speaks admiringly of the Olympic Mountains at sunset, complains of lightheadedness and muses about potential prison time if he were to land the plane safely. The audio between the man known as Rich and air traffic controllers further captured his demeanor. Fan, Russells childhood friend, remains in disbelief that his friend actually did this. Rick Christenson, an operational supervisor with Horizon, said that while he had met Mr. Russell only in passing between shifts, I do remember him as a nice quiet young man. He added that Mr. Russells ability to fly might have come from flight simulator games., In a video that appears to have been posted by Mr. Russell in December, he introduced himself as a ground service agent. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. I do not enjoy management.. At another point, Richard Russell said, Im down to 2100; I started at like 30-something.. In his call to air traffic controllers, the man also described himself as having a "few screws loose" but didn't realise until now. I just thought it was another one of his jokes, Fan said. The footage shows him going through security wearing a T-shirt. Its burned quite a bit faster than I expected., He also said, Im gonna land it, in a safe kind of manner. 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.. Failing to convince Hannah of Alaskas greatness, we settled on Sumner because of its close proximity to her family., Richard added, I, meanwhile, obtained a job working for Horizon Airlines (partnered with Alaska Airlines) so Im able to fly to Alaska at my leisure. The airline confirmed that an unauthorized take-off occurred. However, late in the evening of August 10, 2018, tower audio indicated that some planes were being released. Pilot said it was most bizarre thing hed heard in his career. His family members said in a statement they were heartbroken. richard russell audio transcript. Hannah and Beebo met at a Campus Crusade for Christ gathering at Southwestern Oregon Community College last year, the site reported. August 13, 2018 / 5:34 AM Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 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. On August 10, 2018, a Horizon ground operations employee by the name of Richard Bryan Russell Jr., stole a $32,000,000 Horizon Q400 airplane, N449QX, from t. I was dead set against it. Their business contained a sign that read, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Other video shows him clocking in to work. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. No one noticed the plane had disappeared . The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats . 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. Horizon declined to discuss wages either for Russell or for his employment position and didnt answer questions about the workplace culture or complaints raised by employees. Apparently someone stole a Horizon Q and is flying it over SeaTac. Sea-Tac Airport (@SeaTacAirport) August 11, 2018. They dont necessarily use a key, so theres switches that they use to start the aircraft, she said. Richard B. Russell, a ground service agent at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. It seemed like he was well liked by the other workers," former coworker Rick Christenson told The Seattle Times. He played football and competed in track and field at Wasilla High School, according to a local newspaper, graduating in 2008. A former coworker, Rick Christenson, told The Seattle Times: He was a quiet guy. We present three-dimensional maps in monochromatic extinction A0 and the extinction parameter R0 within a few degrees of the Galactic plane. Tue 12 July 2022 11:09, UK. That means I lift a lot of bags so many bags, he says. I would like to apologize to each and every one of them. Tim Orr, who also works at the Seattle-Tacoma airport, and who said he had known Mr. Russell since they were both 12, said his friend had been frustrated that his airport job did not pay the $15 minimum wage that many other airport workers receive, and had talked about leaving to do something else. Never knew he was fighting a battle non of us knew about. 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. It didnt sit well with people, Brown said. My logo draft will be a generic suit case with minimalistic travel stickers, encircled by the text: Russell Hustle. In a final video project set to cheery music, Russell included selfies from airport grounds and photos from his many trips. One air traffic controller called the man "Rich,"and tried to persuade him to land the airplane. I wouldnt want to do that. Powered by. Confirmed info .. this is a single suicide male. Then he took an Alaska Airlines plane. Russell was a ground-service agent at Horizon, part of a two-person tow team that turned around airplanes. The family thanked authorities, Alaskair, the community and Russells friends and family. The family of a man who authorities say stole an airplane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday and died when he later crashedthe aircraft said they were "stunned and heartbroken" and called him "a warm and compassionate man.". David Odell, pastor at Russells Auburn church, also declined to discuss Russell, citing the familys wishes. Details of the apparent suicide were still emerging on Saturday, and no evidence of Russells motivations had been publicized beyond statements he made to air traffic controllers trying to coax him down. The married airport employee "hijacked" the Alaska Airlines plane before being caught on video performing stunts in the sky as he was tailed by fighter jets. Below are some of the clips. \"There is a runway just off to your right side in about a mile,\" the controller says, referring to an airfield at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. I was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Wasilla, Alaska when I was 7. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. KINGs Madison Wade reports. It makes me cringe,"he said. He is flying around the airport, he does not know how to land it. (modern). An airline employee stole an empty plane that he eventually crashed into an island near Seattle's Sea-Tac airport. While many visible aspects of commercial flight that affect the routines of passengers have been hardened, parts of the system that are behind the scenes, but just as important to public safety as cockpit doors and screening machines, remain vulnerable. Its a complaint that Russell himself echoed in social-media postings, noting the dichotomy between a grueling, low-paying job and the globe-trotting trips that the job let him take. I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt. In the article, Russell described himself as laid back and easy going. Authorities say he had worked Friday, and was in uniform, when he got into the cockpit of a Horizon Airlines Bombardier Q400 plane and took off for an hourlong joyride. Here's how. You had people up working in the restaurants, everybody else at the airport made $15.. The NTSB is now processing the equipment. Authorities say he was. Most Facebook users can now claim settlement money. Unclear if passengers are on board. He was the nicest guy. The sketch on Richard Russells WordPress page. "Here we have an employee who was vetted to the level to have access to the aircraft and had a skill set proficient enough to take off with that plane.". He was always happy, every time we saw him, it was like he had these giant ear-to-ear grins, Fan said. 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