The stolen plane circled before crashing near Seattle. Photos / via Twitter
The stolen plane circled before crashing near Seattle. Photos / via Twitter
A plane has taken off at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport without authority and crashed into south Puget Sound after F-15 fighter jets were scrambled to pursue the aircraft.
Alaska Airlines confirmed a Horizon Airlines Q400 Turboprop made an unauthorised take-off from the airport.
Actual comms from ATC with stolen Q400 out of Seattle recorded an hour ago. Apparently the hijackers’ name is Rich. pic.twitter.com/Lj4sWtWpsH
Ed Troyer, a spokesman for the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, said on Twitter that a 29-year-old airline mechanic stole the plane.
Witnesses reported seeing the plane being chased by military aircraft before it crashed near Ketron Island.
The sheriff's department said they were working to conduct a background investigation on the man, whose name was not immediately released.
The man could be heard on audio recordings telling air traffic controllers that he's "got a lot of people that care about me" and that he is "just a broken guy."
Excerpts from the audio reveal the air traffic controller urged the man to land the plane.
"We're just trying to find a place where you can land the plane safely," the controller says. The man replies: "Yeah, not quite ready to bring it down just yet. Holy smokes, I've got to stop looking at the fuel because it's going down quick."
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport said the person flying the plane was an airline employee.
A plume of smoke has been seen near Ketron Island, Washington, the US Coastguard reported.
Local KIRO-7 Seattle reporter Gary Horcher said on social media indications were the suspect was speaking to air traffic controllers.
Major security incident at SeaTac Airport. All planes are grounded—captain telling passengers a Horizon airliner was taken without authorization, and military jets are scrambling to intercept it. We’re working to confirm information now pic.twitter.com/AQJVzCcxum
Air traffic controllers We’re trying to get someone named “Rich” piloting the on authorized Horizon flight to land safely. We’re following reports of a crash now near Anderson Island
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a message to media:
"We can't confirm anything at this time. We're trying to get accurate information about what is actually going on. Without confirming anything, a stolen aircraft would be a security issue.
"The FAA is not a security agency, although we work closely with other government agencies on security issues."
Sheriffs plane orbiting area of reported crash site for the stolen plane from Seattle. Pierce Co Fire dispatched a water rescue to Solo Point just before 21:00hrs local time. Solo Point is just on the shore there directly S/E. pic.twitter.com/AlCsYP0s54
The stolen plane is followed by a military jet. Photo / via Twitter
Morgan Chesky, a reporter for KOMO News, wrote on Twitter, "Per JBLM source: After being contacted by F-15's, stolen plane began to nose dive, crashing in north Pierce County."
Horizon has approximately 4000 employees and serves more than 45 cities in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Canada.
Okay this insane. A pilot on the plane in front of us just went rogue and took off on an empty plane bypassing orders from the tower. The tower ordered a full stop and they’re trying to communicate with that pilot. Whaaaaaat!
Some guy stole a Alaska Air plane and either crashed or got shot out of the sky!! RT @drbmbdgty: Some dude stole a plane from #Seatac (Allegedly), did a loop-the-loop, ALMOST crashed into #ChambersBay, then crossed in front pic.twitter.com/TkJIa5j4BM
If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police immediately on 111.
