In 2018,Richard Russellmade news headlines for slip — and subsequently crashing — a 76 - seat passenger sheet straight out of Seattle Tacoma International Airport . He ’s since achieve the byname " Sky King . "
Many wondered how he superintend to keep the sheet in the zephyr without any stately flight training . Others asked what would motivate him to do such a thing in the first place . Here ’s what we do and do n’t know .
Content warning : This clause discusses ego - harm . If you or someone you know want help , dial 988 or text SAVE to 741741 .
Who Was Richard Russell?
Richard Russell ( 1989 - 2018 ) was a solid ground service of process agentive role for Horizon Air , a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines , who infamously slip and fatally crash an airplane , realize the moniker " Sky King . "
According to hisblog , Russell was bear in Key West , Florida , and move to Wasilla , Alaska , at the age of 7 . Russell met his next married woman , Hannah Stracener , while attending Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay , Oregon .
The couple lam a bakery for three years before moving to Sumner , Washington , to be closer to family . " We consider ourselves bakery cognoscente and have to try on a new one every berth we go , " Russell wrote . Russell ’s occupation with Horizon Air allowed him to travel and see his family inAlaskamore frequently .
While working for Horizon as a ground avail federal agent , Russell also attended Washington State University , fine-tune with a degree in social science in 2017 . " Once I earn my unmarried man in Social Sciences I will either seek a management position where I ’m at now , or possibly join the military machine as an officer , " Russell write at the eld of 27 .
Sadly , Russell did not live to achieve those goals .
Richard Russell’s Unauthorized Flight from Seattle-Tacoma Airport
On August 10 , 2018 , at 2:36 p.m. , undercoat service broker Richard Russell arrived at Seattle - Tacoma International Airport for his scheduled shift of tow planes and cargo for Horizon Air . At 7:19 p.m. , Russell climbed inside Horizon Air Q400 aircraft # N449QX .
Being in the cockpit was nothing unexampled for Russell , who had spent the past three and a half years tow plane around the aerodrome and knew how to work the plane ’s auxiliary office unit ( APU ) and maneuver aircraft on land . But that evening , he decided to fly .
At 7:33 p.m. , Russell took off from the airport . For the next 1 hour and 13 minutes , Russell — who had no formal flight education — fly around the Seattle area , visiting Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains . ( " These guys are gorgeous ! Holy smokes , " he said over the radio . )
He also try some conjuration . " Hey , pilot guy ! Can this affair do a backflip , you think ? " Russell asked a nearby cowcatcher . After a successful barrel whorl , Russell reject to put down the plane . " I was kinda trust that was gon na be it , ya love ? "
At 8:46 p.m. , his woodworking plane crashed on Ketron Island in Puget Sound , and Russell died . He was 28 eld old .
What We Do and Don’t Know About Richard Russell’s Crash
fit in to an FBIpress release , Russell ’s crash was intentional . " If the pilot had wanted to avoid shock with the ground , he had fourth dimension and Department of Energy to pull the pillar back , raise the nose and initiate a climb , " the press button read . So why did n’t he ?
Russell ’s death came as a electric shock to his family , and questions remain about his motivations . Here ’s what we do and do n’t get it on about the incident .
Did Russell Know How to Fly a Plane?
Russell did not have a pilot burner ’s permit or any formal flight training . However , through his Book of Job , he had canonical knowledge of how to start a airplane .
When an air dealings accountant necessitate Russell if he feel comfortable flying the woodworking plane , he responded : “ It ’s a blast , man . I played video games before so , you know , I know what I ’m doing a short routine . ” According to the FBI , Russell also search for escape instructional videos online , but his flying knowledge was circumscribed .
When an aura traffic controller necessitate Russell if he was able-bodied to state his height , Russellsaid , " I have no thought what all that mean , I would n’t eff how to punch it in . "
Was Russell’s Death Intentional?
Russell ’s end was ruled a self-annihilation . After its investigation , the Medical Examiner ’s Office observe that “ there is sufficient grounds to conclude that the end was designed . ”
Russell made several statements during the trajectory that evoke his intent to dash , including " I ’m gon na prove to do a barrel roll and if that goes upright , then I ’m just gon na nuzzle down and call it a night . "
Did Russell Have an Accomplice?
No , Russell work alone to slip and crash the aircraft . According to the FBI , " extensive investigatory activity betray to discover any additional subject(s ) involve in the preparation or execution of the unauthorized flight . "
Why Did Russell Steal and Crash the Plane?
Although Russell ’s motivations stay on unknown , there are several theory as to why he may have stolen and crashed the aircraft .
Did Russell Like His Job?
Russell enjoyed the locomotion benefit of his task with Horizon Air , including trip to Alaska to impose his kinsfolk .
But he also complain about being underpaid : Russell ’s team was give below SeaTac ’s received $ 15 minimum wage , a fact he mentioned while in the air : “ minimal remuneration , we ’ll chalk it up to that . Maybe that will grease some cogwheel a little snatch with the higher - ups . ”
If you or someone you know take help , dial 988 or textbook SAVE to 741741 . The following good word come from the 988 Lifeline .
Warning signs of self-annihilation include :
If someone you know exhibits monition signs of self-annihilation :
The Other Richard Russell
The Richard Russell who steal a plane in 2018 is not to be confuse with Senator Richard Russell , who croak in 1971 at the age of 73 from emphysema complication at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington , D.C.
Senator Russell , also known as Richard B. Russell Jr. , is acknowledge for oppose civic right legislation include the Civil Rights Act ( ironically signed into law by his former protégé , President Lyndon Johnson ; Russell also clashed with Lyndon Johnson ’s Vice President , Hubert Humphrey , over polite rights ) .
His career in politics began when Russell won a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1920 . At age 30 , Russell became Georgia ’s untried regulator of the 20th century . As electric chair of the Armed Services Committee from 1951 to 1953 and from 1955 to 1969 , Senator Richard Russell help regulate the United States ' post - World War II national security policy .
Russell coauthored both the National School Lunch Act of 1946 and the segregator Southern Manifesto ( 1956 ) .
The Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies at the University of Georgia and the USDA Russell Agricultural Research Center in Athens , Georgia , are named for him .
