Others saw his opinions on certain topics as based. Audio captured emotional conversations between the man, named as Rich, and air traffic controllers trying to help him land safely. Rich, you said you had 2100 pounds of fuel left? the controller responded. But after that apology, oblivion seemed like the only option left to him. Patterson did not end up flying the plane into Walmart, instead landing it in a nearby field where he was arrested. He had psychotic depression. If you or someone you know may be contemplating suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. 2007-2023 Ive got a lot of people that care about me. Literally Media Ltd. Many people online compared the incident to 2018's incident with Richard Russell, calling Patterson "Sky King 2.0" or "Sky King 2. 160. r/lostgeneration. 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. My names Richard Russell, Im 27 and currently living in Sumner, WA with my incredible wife Hannah. Latest update from tower indicates no interest on his part to land the plane. I'm listening through the archive of the radio chatter on the #seatac hijacking. Normal operations at Sea-Tac Airport have resumed, the airport wrote. It seemed like he was well liked by the other workers. Its not clear whether Russell, 29, had ever really flown a plane before. Confirmed info .. this is a single suicide male. So I dont know how he achieved the experience that he did.. [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. A friend wrote on Facebook, So heart brokenhe was such a kind person to me. The audio between the man known as Rich and air traffic controllers further captured his demeanor. I got a lot of people that care about me. Wikipedia. He was a faithful husband, a loving son, and a good friend, the family said in the statement, which was read by a friend, Mike Mathews, ABC reported. It may seem difficult for those watching at home to believe, but Beebo was a warm, compassionate man. On YouTube, he also went by the name Beebo Russell. The plane was grounded for the night after returning from Victoria, B.C., which was its final scheduled flight of the day. 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, where it was chased by fighter planes as he attempted stunts in the air before the plane crashed. 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. 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 was on meth.. He is flying around the airport, he does not know how to land it. 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. But as the cockpit recordings and videos of Russells antics spread, and Internet users uncovered his online postings, his final act drew both admirers and detractors. On August 10, 2018, a Horizon Air Bombardier Q400 was stolen from SeattleTacoma International Airport (SeaTac) in Seattle, Washington. Cast Your Vote To Select The Meme Of The Month! 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.. Luke Adams ? 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. Monteith stated the men told him they were training to use the aircraft's auxiliary power unit so they could tow it, but said it was "suspicious" that they left when he confronted them. Lee Goldberg. . The family thanked authorities, Alaskair, the community and Russells friends and family. 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. We had a ground stop for quite a while here, a dispatcher says. "[22], The two F-15s attempted to direct the aircraft toward the Pacific Ocean, and did not fire at it. [15] He said he was a "broken guy, got a few screws loose I guess. We love you bud. I met Hannah in Coos Bay, Oregon in 2010 while we were both going to school, the about me section says. Seattle ground Horizon guy. Hours prior, he posted a message on Facebook that seemed to imply he was going to commit suicide, writing, "Sorry everyone. He was always smiling.. Ah, minimum wage. Sea-Tac airport confirmed the plane was down a short time later. The crisis has engulfed the West as a whole. The perpetrator, 29-year-old Richard Russell, was a Horizon Air ground service agent with no piloting experience. But there appears to be no manifesto, no digital trail of warning signs from Russell. [4][6][9] A tow boat crew was the first to respond. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Patient, new father among 5 killed in medical flight crash, Medical aircraft crash in Nevada leaves 5 dead: report, 5 dead in small plane crash in Little Rock, Human error eyed as cause of Yeti Airlines crash that killed 72 people. Russell, who worked for Horizon Air, a regional subsidiary of Alaska Airlines, flew the plane for 73 minutes before crashing it into remote Ketron Island, which has fewer than 20 residents. [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, Public acts of violence such as mass shootings often reflect the perpetrators troubled, dark past. The story, despite seeming near-mythic, is true. KINGs Madison Wade reports. Male is confirmed a suicidal male. Updated Nov 30, 2022 at 4:37pm. Polices ,ambulances ,& fire trucks are everywhere. I dont know how he achieved the experience that he did.. Teachers are quitting and they will have no one to run their schools, but they still won't give in and support solutions that would hurt property values. Full video form John Waldron on Facebook being shown on CNN #seatac pic.twitter.com/R98bl5uQBr. Another called it cathartic and liberating.. What have I done? This is a complete shock to us. In the audio clips, Russell calls himself "broken" and says he knows how to fly a little bit thanks to video games. Normal operations at Sea-Tac Airport have resumed. 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 . Hijacker does not know how to land the plane. 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. Pilots kept plane out of harms way and people on ground safe. [23] The Q400 ultimately crashed at 20:43 local time[1] on Ketron Island in Puget Sound, Pierce County, Washington, killing the occupant and destroying the aircraft. Since his famous flight, he had spent a lot of time hiking, reading the Bible, and volunteering with the Forest Service. ATC said, "they would give you a job doing anything if you could pull this off", to which he replied, "Yeah right! Why did I do it? At one point, Rich asked for help in getting the cabin depressurized, complaining he was getting lightheaded. They turned him into a hero with the name, and with it came a lot of memes. Knowing what you value will help you build the most meaningful life possible. Never really knew it, until now, Richard Russell said at one point. I think I might mess something up there too. Privacy, Richard Russell Who Stole Plane Near Seattle Raises Troubling Security Questions, Richard Russell Details emerge of a compassionate man after Seattle plane heist and fiery crash, Richard Russell pilot of stolen Horizon Air plane had lighthearted tone before deadly crash, Pilot arrested after threatening to crash plane into Mississippi Walmart and eventually landing in a field, police say, Pilot threatening to crash hijacked plane into Walmart in Tupelo, Mississippi. He did a barrel roll in a stolen plane and went out in a blaze of glory. 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. Facebook Richard Russell was a suicidal airport ground services worker who stole an airplane from Sea-Tac International Airport. He was a faithful husband, a loving son, and a good friend, Mike Mathews read from the statement at a press conference. On October 6, 1993, now aged 44, he hiked into the Angeles National Forest and died by self-inflicted gunshot. 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. Patch confirmed there was a security incident underway at SeaTac. The incident came to a tragic end when Russell intentionally crashed the plane into Ketron Island in Puget Sound, killing him. Ah, Rich, dont say stuff like that, the controller said. Then he took an Alaska Airlines plane. He went sightseeing along the Olympic mountain range. [45] The aircraft was worth $30million, all of which was paid under the company's insurance policy "with no deductibles. [14] The transmissions were quickly recorded and posted on social media websites. Disclaimer: I am in no way proficient in the arts.. Rest in peace Rich. Others said it was wrong to glorify him for an act that could have killed more people. Weird times. Acted alone he is 29 year old Pierce county residence. Footage of Patterson flying the plane went viral on social media and people quickly started comparing it to the 2018 Sky King incident. They said the family is moving forward with the difficult talk of processing our grief and asked for space to mourn. Nine-tenths of them are from a lower socioeconomic class. Hearing a diagnosis would comfort them somehow. He tilted the wings and rumbled low over Puget Sound. Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) August 11, 2018, People posted photos and videos to Twitter of a plume of smoke and possible crash site. How I've Made $280k Selling Spreadsheets on Etsy. Holy smokes, Ive got to stop looking at the fuel because its going down quick.. He doesnt sound confident in his ability to land back at SeaTac. On August 10th, 2018, a service agent for Horizon Air named Richard "Beebo" Russell used his position to steal a Horizon Air Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 airliner from the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Well chalk it up to that. Ah, Rich, dont say stuff like that, the controller said. All Rights Reserved. "[38], Russell was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Wasilla, Alaska, at the age of seven. After five hours, he arrived in a tow vehicle near the plane. Authorities said Russell was suicidal. The federal agencies will lead the investigation. The hardest part of stealing a commercial plane from an international airport was already over for Richard Russell. 0:00. About. Russell flew wild loops over Puget Sound, screamed low over frightened onlookers and had existential and, at turns, bizarre chats with air traffic controllers as two Air Force F-15 jets gave chase. Never really knew it, until now, Richard Russell said at one point. I dont want to hurt no one. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital Its not clear how he pulled off the intense maneuvers captured on video. On behalf of the family, we are stunned and heartbroken. As Melville noted, We are all somehow dreadfully cracked about the head, and sadly need mending., Be wary of simple explanations of any human behavior, and of simple solutions for complex problems. Im going to disappoint them to hear that I did this. [40] He was a hard-hitting football fullback in high school, scoring six touchdowns in his senior year, after which he moved to North Dakota to join the football team at Valley City State University. The incident resulted in Russell losing his life when he crashed on Ketron Island in Puget Sound, but people on sites like 4chan refused to let his story end there. About to take off. Our first date, he kind of cornered me into it, Hannah Russell said to the site. He then boards an empty 70-seater plane and took off. There is the runway just about a mile off your right side, do you see that? A former coworker, Rick Christenson, told The Seattle Times: He was a quiet guy. Nah, I'm a white guy. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. For the full details on "Sky King" meme and viral story, be sure to check out our entry on the meme here for even more information. Old Medication, New Use: Can Prazosin Curb Drinking? Theyre not as easy to fly as, say, a Cessna 150, Beck said. Beck said the aerial maneuvers were "incredible" and that he "did not know how [Russell] achieved the experience that he did. What now? "Got a few screws loose, I guess. 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.. [1][7][8][9] In response, two McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagles of the Oregon Air National Guard's 142nd Fighter Wing under the command of NORAD[10] were scrambled at around 20:15 local time[11] from Portland Air National Guard Base to intercept it. A 2012 article in the World described how Russell met his wife. It is not surprising that I thought of Larry Walters when I first heard about Richard Russell. This is "Sky King ~ Richard Russell" by Nibbus Jimmus on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. We are aware of an incident involving an unauthorized take-off of a Horizon Air Q400. (More info in comments) 2 years ago today, Richard Russell, an airport ground service agent with no piloting experience, stole an Alaska Airlines Dash 8 and performed various stunts over the Puget Sound before crashing the plane on a sparsely populated island. In 1993, Lawnchair Larry Walters was named an At-Risk Survivor in the annual Darwin Awards. 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. He carried with him a CB radio, sandwiches, beer, and a camera. Commercial aircraft are complex machines, he said. Hello, Love. 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 Family Left Heartbroken After Airline Worker Steals and Crashes Plane. SeaTac airport., Morgan Chesky, a reporter for KOMO News, wrote, Per JBLM source: After being contacted by F-15s, stolen plane began to nose dive, crashing in north Pierce County., NTSB investigator Debra Eckrote held a Saturday morning press conference, the day after the crash, and indicated that investigators are trying to determine what his process was and where the aircraft was going. She identified Rich as ground support so, you know, they have access to aircraft, and described it as lucky that the plane crashed on a very underpopulated island.. In 2018, a Horizon Air employee, Richard Russell, stole a plane with no prior flying experience, making international headlines. Richard Russell Plane Crash Video From Seattle, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. A pair of F-15C jets were scrambled in response to Russells flight before he crashed one hour and 15 minutes after takeoff. A 2012 article in the World described how Russell met his wife. . Russell, the sole occupant during the flight, did not survive. I dont want to hurt no one. Listening to the audio recordings, I feel nothing but sadness for Rich, for the man who stole that plane at #SeaTac and committed suicide. We are working back ground on him now, the Pierce County Sheriff wrote. Magazines, Digital It had first flown in 2012 and was delivered new to Horizon Air in the same year. 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.. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC, Psychology and the Mystery of the "Poisoned" Schoolgirls. 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. It was a lie. The video shows Russell wearing a shirt that reads The skys no limit, as he passed through security at the airport, where he worked. [9], On August 11th, 2018, journalist Jimmy Tomson tweeted out a series of audio clips in which Russell can be heard talking to an air traffic controller (shown below).[3]. We believe there are no passengers on board. He and his wife had owned a bakery in Oregon but sold it to move closer to her family. ?, One woman wrote on Twitter, he has stolen a big Horizon turbo prop. The incident led to a dramatic and tragic night on August 10, 2018, as aircraft were grounded at Sea-Tac while fighter jets followed the man and air traffic controllers tried unsuccessfully to help him land the aircraft.