Surveillance Footage Reveals 2018 Incident: 29-Year-Old Man Steals Passenger Plane at Seattle Airport, Embarks on Hour-Long Joyride, and Intentionally Crashes It on Remote Island, Resulting in His Death 

Recently released surveillance footage captures the chilling moment a Seattle Airport baggage handler, 29-year-old Richard Russell, stole an Alaska Airlines plane before deliberately crashing it on a remote island, resulting in his own death.

New Video Shows Man Stealing Horizon Air Plane In 2018 Incident

Port of Seattle authorities have made public the airport surveillance video, providing a real-time account of the incident from both inside the terminal and on the tarmac.

In the footage, Richard Russell, wearing a black T-shirt with the words 'The Sky's No Limit,' is seen passing through airport security. More than five hours later, he emerges on the tarmac in the cargo area, using a tow vehicle to move the propeller aircraft onto a taxiway.

As air traffic control attempts to make contact, Russell, unnoticed by co-workers nearby, enters the cockpit and takes off in the Q400 Turboprop. Communicating with the control tower, he mentions, 'Seattle ground Horizon guy. About to take off. It's gonna be crazy.'

Subsequent ground video captures Russell performing stunts over Puget Sound, with his radio communication expressing a surreal situation. He even jokes with air traffic controllers about securing a job as a pilot with Alaska Airlines if he lands successfully.

Despite the controllers' pleas for a safe landing, Russell's responses remain erratic, expressing concerns about potential repercussions. He contemplates jail time and acknowledges the rapid depletion of fuel.

Two F-15 fighter jets from Portland are dispatched to intercept the plane but are unsuccessful. One hour and 13 minutes after takeoff, Russell intentionally crashes the plane on an island, taking his own life. Witnesses describe barrel rolls and loop-the-loops during the incident.

The FBI investigation found no evidence of flight training, but Russell was familiar with starting an airplane, having watched instructional videos online. In cockpit audio, he mentions playing video games, indicating a minimal need for assistance.

The FBI concluded the incident as suicide, ruling out broader criminal activity or terrorism, affirming Russell acted alone. Born in Key West, Florida, Russell moved to Alaska as a child, later settling in Seattle and joining Alaska Airlines. Despite passing background checks, Russell's tragic actions shocked witnesses, prompting a brief airport shutdown and flight suspensions.

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