Aug 11, 2018, 9:38 pm
Last edit by: jspira
The incident itself is covered here: Sea-Tac Horizon Air employee steals airplane, does stunts before crashing near Tacoma The errant pilot, Mr. Russell, apparently recognized he was in the midst of a crisis (From Theft of Aircraft in Seattle-Tacoma Raises Serious Security Questions): “I got a lot of people that care about me and it’s going to disappoint them to hear that I did this,” Mr. Russell said to air traffic controllers. “I would like to apologize to each and every one of them. Just a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess. Never really knew it until now.”
from post #10:
KSEA tower audio of the aircraft on RWY 16C: http://archive-server.liveatc.net/ks...2018-0230Z.mp3 (begins around 3:40)
from post #10:
KSEA tower audio of the aircraft on RWY 16C: http://archive-server.liveatc.net/ks...2018-0230Z.mp3 (begins around 3:40)
QX Q400 stolen by employee, crashed near SEA, no passengers onboard
Aug 11, 2018, 5:52 am
#46
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 116
Not that interesting, all of the Pacific Northwest are under the responsibility of the fighters based out of PDX. This isn't the 30 minute Seattle Shuttle many here are used to. Those F-15's are capable of over 1,800 MPH.
Last edited by gobeavs8; Aug 11, 2018 at 5:58 am
Aug 11, 2018, 6:02 am
#47
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One post on the AS Facebook page from some cargo employee at SEA said the guy who did it is responsible for parking planes for the night.
Aug 11, 2018, 7:48 am
#48
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Used to be that two cans of beer, and the emergency slide were all it took.
Heart goes out to all the Rich-es out there.
Heart goes out to all the Rich-es out there.
Last edited by SouthernCross; Aug 11, 2018 at 9:52 am
Aug 11, 2018, 8:03 am
#49
Join Date: Apr 2014
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Any idea how fast they got there? Obviously not a drill and time is of the essence in a case like this. Any report of sonic booms yesterday?
Aug 11, 2018, 8:36 am
#50
Join Date: Jul 2013
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There were reports of sonic booms. Not sure on the exact arrival but from reports sounds like they were up there pretty fast.
Last edited by gobeavs8; Aug 11, 2018 at 8:45 am
Aug 11, 2018, 8:42 am
#51
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Anyone seen a flight track map posted?
Aug 11, 2018, 9:03 am
#52
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Just last month I was in a plane where the cockpit door was open and you could see everything the pilots where doing. Incredible, the movement and switches, absolutely incredible, like an orchestra.
I hope this young man finally found peace. And I really hope that no humans nor property (besides the plane) got damaged.
Now, who is responsible for the damage? Family, insurance....
Aug 11, 2018, 9:11 am
#53
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Ya, me too. This really has me thinking, other than trust what stops someone from taking an aircraft from maintenance area? I'm shocked he kept it in the air so long, and am happy no one else was hurt. That could have been really, really, really bad.
Aug 11, 2018, 9:15 am
#54
Join Date: Dec 2008
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Why? I would actually prefer it was shot down. If they had it somewhere they could down over water or in a non populated area. We have no idea how crazy this person was, if they had the skills to do much more than take off and keep the plane in the air.....what if they let him stay in the air and he crashed into downtown Seattle.
Aug 11, 2018, 9:15 am
#55
Join Date: Jan 2001
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It's obviously possible for a mechanic or ground services worker to do this; it may even have been part of this individual's job to ferry planes around on the ground. But how in the heck did the tower not know something was amiss? I'd love to hear the recordings as he taxied out for takeoff and then took off.
Aug 11, 2018, 9:17 am
#56
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Wow, this is something else.
Flying on Alaskan next Thursday, so a bit concerning.
Sounds like he was a baggage handler from DailyMail.
As far as flying, he either had been getting some informal training from some mechanics, or possibly had a realistic flight sim at home on computer.
I'm sure it will come out in the days to come.
Also, condolences to his wife, he was apparently married.
Flying on Alaskan next Thursday, so a bit concerning.
Sounds like he was a baggage handler from DailyMail.
As far as flying, he either had been getting some informal training from some mechanics, or possibly had a realistic flight sim at home on computer.
I'm sure it will come out in the days to come.
Also, condolences to his wife, he was apparently married.
Aug 11, 2018, 9:35 am
#59
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Aug 11, 2018, 9:40 am
#60
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