On what is believed to be his personal blog, Richard Russell said he was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Alaska at age seven. The FBI is investigating the stunning heist, which has raised concerns about the security of commercial aircraft and mental health issues among airline workers nearly 17 years after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Russell had no formal training as a pilot and did not have his pilots license. Russell, a married 29-year-old Alaska transplant who lived in Sumner, arrived for work about 2:36 p.m., and cleared security checkpoints without any anomalies, the timeline said. He met his wife, Hannah, in 2010 in Coos Bay, Oregon "while we were both going to school," and the couple wed one year later, Russell wrote on his website. At no point was Russell ever authorized to fly the planes he serviced. 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. Never really knew it, until now. I was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Wasilla, Alaska when I was 7. He worked at the airline for more than three years, authorities said. The fighter jets were scrambled from Portland. 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. Im sorry about this, I hope this doesnt ruin your day. Well chalk it up to that. In 2015, the couple relocated to Seattle because we were both so far removed from our families, Russell wrote. He flew it around for a long drive before crashing into an island in an explosion of flares. Russell grabbed a stream from Seattle International Airport before crashing onto an island. 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. They are in relation from previous few years of a strong relationship. But the plane slammed into tiny Ketron Island, a sparsely populated island southwest of Tacoma. I would like to figure out how to get this make it pressurized or something so I'm not lightheaded. On social media, Richard Russell used the name Beebo Russell. Although authorities have not released his name, The Seattle Times identified the man as Richard Russell. Prince Harry drops 45 points and Meghan Markle 36 points in just over a month in US public opinion poll Sadiq Khan faces furious backlash over plans for biggest transport and council tax rises in a decade as James Martin warns This Morning viewers why they should NEVER store their eggs in the fridge. Richard Russell, a married 29-year-old Horizon Air employee, (seen with his wife, Hannah, left; and in his uniform, right) was remembered in a family statement released at a news conference. 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. He did a barrel roll in a stolen plane and went out in a blaze of glory. According to Eckrote, the plane is highly fragmented and she said that a background investigation is underway to further clarify Richs motive. Sea-Tac airport confirmed the plane was down a short time later. I dont need that much help; Ive played some video games before, he told the controllers trying to help him. Richard Russell, a married 29-year-old Horizon Air employee, (seen with his wife, Hannah, left; and in his uniform, right) was remembered in a family statement released at a news conference on Saturday as a 'faithful husband' and a 'good friend', Russell posted several videos on his blog showing him and his wife (pictured) traveling around the globe, Workers gather in a staging area Saturday near Steilacoom, Wash., near the site on Ketron Island in Washington state where an Horizon Air turboprop plane crashed. Just a broken guy, got a few screws loose I guess. Police blameddoing stunts in the air and a lack of flying skillsfor the crash. Luke Adams ? The jet took off at 7.32pm local time on August 10, 2018. We consider ourselves bakery connoisseurs and have to try a new one every place we go. His website is filled with photos and videos of his travels and was previously linked to his Instagram account. Two months after they wed, the Russells opened Hannah Marie's Artisan Breads and Pastries, offering biscotti, maple-pecan scones, and pumpkin muffins. An airline employee conducted an unauthorized takeoff without passengers at Sea-Tac; aircraft has crashed in south Puget Sound. #beeborussell #richardrussell #skyking bit.ly/subAIRBOYD Various scanner recordings from liveatc.net and broadcastify.com SEA Ground, Tower, Departure/Approach. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital In another moment, Russell said he was lightheaded and talked about adjusting the cabin pressure, but it was not clear whether he was able to do that. For other inquiries, Contact Us. 1,254 following. Now, his relationship is perfect. 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. Theyre not as easy to fly as, say, a Cessna 150, Beck said. It was soon after that the suicidal pilot who may or may not have been on a joyride gone bad crashing. We consider ourselves bakery connoisseurs and have to try a new one every place we go. Holy smokes, Ive got to stop looking at the fuel because its going down quick.. Her faithfulness and love through both good and difficult times set an example of enduring love and persistence. Without Him we would be hopeless. the traffic controller said. 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. A childhood friend remarked that Beebo was loved by everyone because he was kind and gentle to each person he met. Hijacker does not know how to land the plane. Failing to convince Hannah of Alaskas greatness, we settled on Sumner because of its close proximity to her family. For the past 6 years, she has been a wife, business partner, and adventure companion to Beebo. Heres what you need to know about Hannah and Rich: In a 2012 story, Hannah said she she and her future husband, nicknamed Beebo, met during a Christian social event at Southwestern Oregon Community College in 2011. . Megan Sheets For Dailymail.com After failing to convince Hannah of Alaskas amazing character, we came to Sumner for her closeness to her family, he wrote in his blog. A black family confronts a 70-year-old killing and a white mans exoneration, A Horizon Air employee described as suicidal stole an empty plane at Seattles airport and crashed it into a nearby island on Aug. 10. Audio starts with another aircraft reporting the Q400 exiting the maintenance/cargo area and taking off without clearance. 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. Rich, you said you had 2100 pounds of fuel left? the controller responded. Family Left Heartbroken After Airline Worker Steals and Crashes Plane. Wish me luck! We were married one year later. Later in his blog he wrote, Im from Alaska, and my wife grew up in Washington state. Russell, a ground services worker for Horizon Air, was permitted to get very close to passenger aircraft. Like a lot of bags. Her page was removed as this post was published and so all the images are no longer available but she posted pictures from the Eiffel Tower to the Empire State Building. Richard Russell has been revealed as the man who hijacked a jet in Seattle and took it for a joyride that ended in a fiery island crash Friday evening His wife Hannah had documented their. We are aware of an incident involving an unauthorized take-off of a Horizon Air Q400. A moniker quickly took hold, echoed by others. He also quipped: "Hey, do you think if I land this successfully Alaska will give me a job as a pilot?". His conversation with controllers revealed limited experience. 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. The flight data recorder may show how well Russell managed the aircrafts myriad functions. Clues were offered in a recorded radio transcript he had with airport controllers. After Russell performed an unauthorized takeoff, two McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle fighters were scrambled to intercept the aircraft. Air traffic control: Rich, you said you had 2,100 pounds of fuel left? The final YouTube video posted by a Seattle plane hijacker depicts a happily married man with a monotonous job that's only silver lining was the travel opportunities it afforded him. Russell took the Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 turboprop from the northeast corner of the airport, according to the Times. Rich: I don't want to hurt anyone, I just want you to whisper sweet nothings into my ear. Russell, the sole occupant during the flight, did not survive. Tired of reading? 'Oh those guys will try to rough me up if I try land there,' Rich replied. 22:06 GMT 11 Aug 2018 Rich: I'm gonna land it, in a safe kind of manner. And in recordings of conversations with air traffic controllers, Russell joked and laughed, though he was at times contemplative and raw. Outside of the US, one of Russell's favorite locations appears to be France, where he'd toured everywhere from Alsace to Sisteron to the Lavender Field in Valensole. 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. A newspaper profile described Hannah as. Preliminary info is that a mechanic from unknown airlines stole plane. Richard Russell, a 29-year-old Horizon Air employee, hijacked an empty 76-seat plane from the maintenance area where he worked at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Friday night. So many bags, he said. He and his wife Hannah started a bakery in Oregon in their early 20s, according to a 2012 story in a local paper that depicted a happy, determined couple. var zergnet = document.createElement('script'); 'You think if I land this successfully Alaska will give me a job as a pilot?' Pilot said it was most bizarre thing hed heard in his career. Just a broken guy. He tilted the wings and rumbled low over Puget Sound. We are sending resources and people. Russell was an employee of Horizon Air. So if you want to try to land, that's the way to go. An airline employee conducted an unauthorized takeoff without passengers at Sea-Tac; aircraft has crashed in south Puget Sound. He said flying was a 'blast' and that he didn't need much help: 'I've played some video games before.'. I was a ground service agent at Horizon Air for the better part of 2016, and I worked alongside Richard "Beebo" Russell. He has taught me to be a better listener, to lighten up and be more spontaneous, that every person has a story to tell worth listening to, how to pronounce Versace, given me a love for travel and thanks to him I have learned how to remove a Swedish fish stain from cargo pants (PSA: if you stash candy in your pockets, eat it or remove it before sending it through the wash). Who Is Richard Russell's Wife Hannah Russell? The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Sunday that Russell had died in the fiery wreckage, but whether the crash was deliberate or accidental was one of several topics remaining for investigators. It did not appear Russell having any flying experience- how he even managed to get the 76 commercial plane, Russell who stole the plane in what was believed to initially be for a joyride, eventually died after crashing following being pursued by two scrambled F-15 fighter planes from nearby, Officials reported Russell eventually crashing his hijacked plane at, The ground service agent, referred to as Rich and Richard by air traffic controllers, was born in, In the aftermath of Fridays incident, questions surrounded how Russell was able to gain access to the aircraft and fly it out of the airport undetected. Speculation has swirled over Russells intent. Mr. Russell, who served as equipment overseer at the air terminal, is seen in another video from the Port of Seattle preparing the power for the trip. (If you need help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.). 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. The plane was a Bombardier Q400, a turboprop that seats 76 people, owned by Horizon Air, part of Alaska Airlines. Russell told air traffic controllers that he was a broken guy with a few screws loose, but also that he wanted to avoid injuring innocent people. Tilden said that air traffic control was immediately aware that Russells take off in the aircraft was an unauthorized departure.. Prince and Princess of Wales pay tribute to Auschwitz survivor Zigi Shipper, who dedicated his life to No rest for Anne! Yeah I dont know what the burnageis like on a takeoff but yeah. 'I lift a lot of bags. Officials said, Louisiana woman stabs boyfriend after peeing in bed while asleep. He wrote: Im able to fly at my leisure. Man, the sights went by so fast. A former coworker, Rick Christenson, told The Seattle Times: He was a quiet guy. Is like on a takeoff, but yeah, it's burned quite a bit faster than I expected. Normal operations at Sea-Tac Airport have resumed, the airport wrote. Tragically, in August 2018, he seized an Alaska Airlines plane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Russell stole an empty commercial airplane, took off from Sea-Tac International Airport in Seattle, and crashed into a small island in the Puget Sound in Washington, Russell, 29, married his wife Hannah in 2011 after meeting in school the year before. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Health/beauty. He complimented the controller: 'You are very calm, collect, poised,' he said. Here's what we know about the mechanic who joked with air traffic controllers before crashing the jet into a small island. But that flight was his last. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. Stay tuned., Another indicated, Seatac airspace closed. 1. In a humorous YouTube video he posted last year, he talked about his job and included videos and photos of his travels. Even the small sections, most of it doesnt resemble a plane.. znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr); Rich: Alright, damnit, I don't know man, I don't know. Authorities said Russell was suicidal. Male is confirmed a suicidal male. Bungling helicopter pilot blows over stadium roof injuring eight, BBC Breakfast celebrates forty years of hilarious bloopers, Ken Bruce will be joining the Greatest Hits Radio family in April, As it happened: UK Government blocks Scotland's new gender law, Royal Family will find it 'impossible' to compromise with Sussexes, Extinction Rebellion douse the Home Office building in black paint, Harrowing moment woman begs father not to kill himself, Motorists slowly drive down snowy hill in treacherous conditions, Shamima Begum never considered turning back during journey to ISIS, Kamala opts out of kneeling with Biden for Warriors photo op. While living in Seattle, Russell started working for Horizon Air, where he would have been earning circa $13.75 an houras a baggage handler, writing that he enjoyed being able to travel to Alaska in his spare time. One or more F-15, Click to subscribe! I was born in Key West, Florida, and moved to Wasilla, Alaska when I was 7. You can listen to all of his SoundCloud clips here. pic.twitter.com/ziBAYv7cgn, Jimmy Thomson (@jwsthomson) August 11, 2018. Air traffic control: OK, and you can see all the terrain around you, youve got no issue with visibility or anything? document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()). The plane didn't require a key, but it did require buttons and switches to be activated in a particular order. In a sweet story written about the couple and their new bakery in 2012, Russell admitted he knew nothing about baking but was learning from his wife. The airline confirmed that an unauthorized take-off occurred. Russell was well-liked by his co-workers, according to The Seattle Times. Russell then said before he crashed: 'I think I'm going to try to do a barrel roll, and if that goes good I'll go nose down and call it a night,' according to a recording of his conversation with the controller. 'I usually have to work outside in this,' Russell says. 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