On August 10, 2018, an airport worker without flight experience stole a plane and crashed it on a remote island. Richard Russell, known for his warm personality, was employed as a ground service agent for Alaska Airlines. Despite his usual duties involving aircraft handling, he managed to access a plane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport using his employee badge.
After boarding the plane and starting the engines, Russell taxied it to the runway before taking off. During his unauthorized flight over Tacoma towards Mount Rainier, he engaged in friendly conversations with air traffic controllers, even joking about his situation. Despite suggestions to land safely, Russell continued his journey, expressing regrets and personal struggles.
As the incident unfolded, Russell performed a barrel roll before guiding the plane to a crash landing on Ketron Island. The FBI concluded that his actions were intentional and not linked to criminal activities or terrorism. Russell’s family emphasized his positive qualities and stated he never intended harm. Alaska Airlines pledged to learn from the tragedy to prevent similar events in the future.