Mr. Russell was clearly overwhelmed with the world in which he found himself, a world vandalized, a world stripped of his ancestral . Location of SeattleTacoma International Airport (north) and Ketron Island (south) within northwestern Washington state. We believe there are no passengers on board. Audio captured emotional conversations between the man, named as Rich, and air traffic controllers trying to help him land safely. [15] He said he was a "broken guy, got a few screws loose I guess. Damnit Andrew, peoples lives are at stake here, Rich said at one point in the audio, which you can listen to later in this article. It seemed like he was well liked by the other workers. 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. "Nah, I'm just a White guy": "Sky King" and White Male Suicide Mourners gathered in the comments section of his YouTube video. The final descent at Ketron Island was determined to be intentional, and suicide was listed as the manner of death. Russell said on the aviation audio, This is probably jail time for life, huh? 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. 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. Known as Beebo to family and friends, Russell was in his youth a gregarious, outgoing star athlete at Wasilla High School in Alaska, according to The Anchorage Daily News, running track and wrestling. He did a barrel roll in a stolen plane and went out in a blaze of glory. 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. It is impossible to encompass who he was in a press release. We are aware of an incident involving an unauthorized take-off of a Horizon Air Q400. Thanks for contacting us. 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. [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. Sky-King Rich 'Beebo' Russell FULL AUDIO w/ Air Traffic Control The media also started sharing audio clips of ongoing conversations between Russell and an air traffic controller. Ive played some video games before.. On Instagram, Hannah Russell posted recent photos with Rich. 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. "[38], Russell was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Wasilla, Alaska, at the age of seven. He also had a pellet gun, with which he eventually shot several of the balloons, beginning his slow descent. 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. He hoped perhaps to commission in the military after graduation. Hours prior, he posted a message on Facebook that seemed to imply he was going to commit suicide, writing, "Sorry everyone. Normal operations at Sea-Tac Airport have resumed. Or he could have had grim plans to take his own life. Not entirely sure whats happening. 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.). 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. An airline employee conducted an unauthorized takeoff without passengers at Sea-Tac; aircraft has crashed in south Puget Sound. in. "[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. 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 . [37], Horizon Air CEO Gary Beck stated that, as far as the company knew, Russell did not have a pilot's license. "[21] When an air traffic controller requested he land the plane after this maneuver, he said "I don't know. First, it would provide a simple explanation that makes the incomprehensible seem comprehensible. Who Is The 'Sky King' Richard Russell And How Did He Earn His Title? However, late in the evening of August 10, 2018, tower audio indicated that some planes were being released. Authorities described him as suicidal.. U.S. Airlines Are Editing Their Websites to Remove Taiwan's Name at China's Request, What America's Richest Ski Town's Handling of COVID-19 Shows. Maybe that will grease the gears a little bit with the higher-ups, he said at another point. As of 2019[update], this clean up effort was still ongoing, with pieces of aircraft wreckage still being located on the island after the first anniversary of the incident. He grins in selfies at work. I dont need that much help; Ive played some video games before, he told the controllers trying to help him. Hey all! The incident came to a tragic end when Russell intentionally crashed the plane into Ketron Island in Puget Sound, killing him. Its not clear how he pulled off the intense maneuvers captured on video. "Guides" About 1 hour and 15 minutes after takeoff, Russell died by intentionally crashing the aircraft on lightly populated Ketron Island in Puget Sound. 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. 2:18. Seattle ground Horizon guy. Richard Russell: Family of man who stole plane 'stunned and heartbroken' "[18] [46][47], N449QX, the aircraft involved in the incident, pictured 2 months before the crash. "[43] Some co-workers said that Russell had probably trained himself to fly using amateur flight simulation software. [12] His flight pattern was also shared online, with Twitter[13] user @RMaons writing, "SKY KING 2.0 ON FLIGHT RADAR, AIRCRAFT IS CALLED KING AIR LOOOL" (shown below, right). The new footage appears to show Russell wearing a shirt that reads "The Sky's No Limit . Wish me luck! At another point, Richard Russell said, Im down to 2100; I started at like 30-something.. Nine-tenths of them are from a lower socioeconomic class. Why did I do it? 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.. Richard Russell: Details emerge of a compassionate man after Seattle plane heist and fiery crash. | 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. [37] From early childhood he was known as "Beebo" to his friends and family. 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. 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 10th, 2018, Russell stole the airliner from a maintenance position at the Sea-Tac airport. The perpetrator, 29-year-old Richard Russell, was a Horizon Air ground service agent with no piloting experience. Hello, Love. Tribute to Richard Russell, Sky King - YouTube He was married and completing a bachelors degree. On that day, Twitter[11] user @CityKing_Gank_ posted a clip of Patterson flying the plane over his town, garnering over 17,000 likes and 4,000 retweets in six days (shown below). Rainier, the Olympic Mountains). Damnit Andrew, peoples lives are at stake here, Rich said at one point in the audio, which you can listen to later in this article. This video is not meant to glamorize suicide. #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. [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. These statements should probably be considered the emotional projections of similarly disaffected people. On July 2, 1982, a . "[16][19] He added that he "wasn't really planning on landing it. In one blog, he describedaspirations to land a management job or join the military. My names Richard Russell, Im 27 and currently living in Sumner, WA with my incredible wife Hannah. He was 29 years old and a member of the ground crew at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, earning minimum wage. 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, Russell wrote about himself and his wife online. But he mentioned video games during his recorded conversation with air traffic control, which some have taken as a reference to flight simulator software. "Heroes" - Peter Gabriel [33], On November 9, the FBI stated that it had completed its investigation. At one point, the controller suggests he might be able to get a job as a pilot after this and Russell replies, "Nah, I'm a white guy." [19] Alaska Air Group CEO Brad Tilden announced on the same day that the airline was coordinating with the Federal Aviation Administration, the FBI, and the National Transportation Safety Board, and was "working to find out everything we possibly can about what happened". He then boards an empty 70-seater plane and took off. Beebos intent was not to harm anyone, and he was right in saying that there are so many people who loved him, Mathews said. When I arrived, he was in the kitchen, in the middle of his Sunday morning ritual of cleaning his cleaning supplies. Full video form John Waldron on Facebook being shown on CNN #seatac pic.twitter.com/R98bl5uQBr. A childhood friend remarked that Beebo was loved by everyone because he was kind and gentle to each person he met. You can watch the video above. Its gonna be crazy, he said at one point in air traffic control transmissions. According to suicide prevention expert, Dr. Christine Moutier, middle-aged White men account for 70% of deaths from suicide each year. 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. Monteith also recalled that Russell had been in the cockpit of an Embraer 175 with him, and that Russell asked him about his "flows, which is the preflight preparation I do for takeoff. Confirmed info .. this is a single suicide male. 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. 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. We are devastated by these events and Jesus is truly the only one holding this family together right now. pic.twitter.com/5z4BYRBrcU, Kierra Elfalan (@KierraElfalanTV) August 12, 2018. A week after Richard Russell stole a Horizon plane from Sea-Tac Airport and crashed it on Ketron Island, there are few hints about why he did it or how he was able to fly the aircraft. Richard Russell had a website that appears to have been for a college communications class. I met my husband when a friend sent him over to my house to cure my hiccoughs. That means I lift a lot of bags so many bags, he says. We've received your submission. Im in the air right now. It may seem difficult for those watching at home to believe, but Beebo was a warm, compassionate man. He doesnt sound confident in his ability to land back at SeaTac. He tilted the wings and rumbled low over Puget Sound. 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. In 1993, Lawnchair Larry Walters was named an At-Risk Survivor in the annual Darwin Awards. Airport (@flySEA) August 11, 2018. "Got a few screws loose, I guess. Many people online compared the incident to 2018's incident with Richard Russell, calling Patterson "Sky King 2.0" or "Sky King 2. Aw man, those guys would rough me up if I tried landing there, Rich says. The equipment was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board for processing. Russells social media accounts have become funeral guestbooks, digitized for the world. The sketch on Richard Russells WordPress page. He sounds like a broken man who needed help. I wouldn't want to do that. Phone scammers tried to rob a grandma in Canada. Although official accounts other than through live aviation audio were hard to come by at first, many passengers took to social media to report that pilots were telling them a man had stolen a plane. I was dead set against it. Their business contained a sign that read, I have loved you with an everlasting love. I love my parents and sister this isn't your fault. August 12, 2018 1:05 PM EDT. Just kind of soaring around, he told air traffic control. Just a broken guy, got a few screws loose I guess. Apparently someone stole a plane from SeaTac? This story has been shared 176,044 times. In 2018, a Horizon Air employee, Richard Russell, stole a plane with no prior flying experience, making international headlines. After 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 Sound, questions remain about why and how he undertook the ultimately fatal flight.
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