Two US F-15 fighter planes were scrambled to intercept a 78-person jetliner stolen by a suicidal aircraft mechanic who flew loop-the-loops before diving into an island off the coast of Washington State.
Dramatic vision of the Horizon Air Q400 jet’s last minutes was filmed by a guest at a party as it performed aerobatics with the F-15’s in hot pursuit.
An air traffic controller called the man “Rich” and tried to convince him to land the plane.
“There is a runway just off to your right side in about a mile,” the controller says, referring to an airfield at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
“Oh, man. Those guys will rough me up if I try and land there,” the man responded, later adding “This is probably jail time for life, huh?”
Later the rogue pilot said: “I’ve got a lot of people that care about me. It’s going to disappoint them to hear that I did this.
“Just a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess.”
At one point in conversation, the pilot says he intends to try “a barrel roll” and announces that if he successfully completes the stunt he will call it a day and “nose in”.
Minutes later he fulfilled his promise with the F-15s still shadowing his every move.
Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air’s corporate parent, was at first unsure if passengers were aboard but later released a statement confirming there had been no innocent casualties.
“We’ve confirmed a Horizon Air Q400 that had an unauthorised takeoff from SeaTac around 8pm has gone down near Ketron Island in Pierce County,” the statement said.
“We’re working to confirm who was on board, we believe there were no guests or crew on board other than the person operating the plane”.
The stolen jet took off from Seattle’s Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which went into immediate lockdown, with all flights suspended.
The F-15 fighters were scrambled out of Portland and broke the sound barrier as they sped low across the rugged coastline to intercept.
Their sonic booms boosted the confusion and terror, with many spectators thinking they had just the blasts of bombs exploding.
Some dude stole a plane from #Seatac (Allegedly), did a loop-the-loop, ALMOST crashed into #ChambersBay, then crossed in front of our party, chased by fighter jets and subsequently crashed. Weird times. pic.twitter.com/Ra4LcIhwfU
— bmbdgty (@drbmbdgty) August 11, 2018
As rescuers converged on the crash site, Ed Troyer from the sheriff’s office took to social media to reassure the public that it was not a “terrorist incident”. Local authorities were working closely with the FBI and the military, he said.
ATC Audio from the stolen Horizon Air Q400: “I think I am going to try to do a barrel roll and if that goes good then I am going to go nose down and call it a night.” pic.twitter.com/83kpL44rw9
— Benjamin Bearup (@TheAviationBeat) August 11, 2018
“Male is confirmed a suicidal male. Acted alone he is 29-year-old Pierce county residence. We are working background on him now.
“We know who he is. No others involved.”
Told F 15s made it within a few minutes of theft of plane. Pilots kept plane out of harms way and people on ground safe. Yay air force . They may not admit for a few days. But is true..
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) August 11, 2018
Stolen horizon airplane crashed into Ketron island. Preliminary info is that a mechanic from unknown airlines stole plane. Was doing stunts in air or lack of flying skills caused crash into Island
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) August 11, 2018
The US Coast Guard immediately sent a cutter patrol boat to the crash scene after witnesses reported seeing a large plume of smoke rising from a massive fireball, a Coast Guard spokesman said.
Horizon Air is part of Alaska Air Group and flies shorter routes throughout the US West.
Spokesmen for the Transportation Security Administration, the US Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration directed inquiries to local authorities.
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