SEATAC, Wash. — Editor's note: The above video on the aftermath of the stolen plane crash on Ketron Island originally aired July 7, 2022.
It’s been five years since a man stole a commercial airplane at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and flew it for more than an hour before crashing on an island in south Puget Sound.
On Aug. 10, 2018, at around 7:15 p.m., Richard “Bebo” Russell, 28, stole a Horizon Air Q400 Turboprop from the cargo area at Sea-Tac Airport. Surveillance video shows Russell, a Horizon Air ground service agent, tow the plane out of the cargo area and release it. As the plane rolls forward, Russell runs after the plane and jumps in the cabin door.
F-15 fighter jets were scrambled out of their base at Portland International Airport to intercept the plane.
Air traffic controllers tried to get him to land, but Russell kept going. He swooped over neighborhoods for more than an hour.
While in the air, Russell talks with air traffic controllers, telling them he was going to go check out Mount Rainier. At one point he appears to be in crisis, saying he’s “just a broken guy” and apologizing to people who he may have disappointed.
At 8:46 p.m. the aircraft crashed on Ketron Island, breaking apart and bursting into flames. Russell was killed, and there were no other injuries.
An FBI investigation found the crash appeared to be intentional.
The FBI says it found no evidence Russell received any former flight training. However, they say he was familiar with the checklist for starting an airplane and that they located internet searches where he found instructional videos.
After the incident, Sea-Tac Airport implemented recommendations to improve safety, including installing more security cameras, increasing security patrols, restricting badge access and implementing restrictions on working alone.
“This happened because it was an inside job,” said former commercial pilot John Nance.
Nance has worked as ABC News’ aviation analyst for 29 years.
He said the incident changed security measures at airports and airlines around the world.
”There has been a tremendous amount of effort that has gone to making sure that this cannot happen again, in any way, form or fashion,” said Nance.
An FBI investigation found neither the airline nor the airport were at fault for the incident.
For security reasons, spokespeople for Alaska Airlines and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport would not detail security changes implemented since the incident.
But Sea-Tac spokesperson Perry Cooper said the airport has placed a greater emphasis on badge visibility and limiting access for employees, only allowing them to go where they need to go on airport property.
Cooper said the Port of Seattle has also made attempts to raise awareness about mental health resources for employees through training and signage around the airport.
In an emailed statement, an Alaska Airlines spokesperson said the company has enhanced employee awareness about potential insider threats, mental health resources, as well as limiting access to aircraft.
“A full audit of our security protocols was conducted in partnership with federal regulators in the months after the incident,” said the statement.