Editor’s note: This is a developing story and details may change as we learn more.
Breaking news out of Seattle where we’re seeing reports that an employee of Horizon Air stole a plane and then crashed it on an island west of Seattle:
FAA sources say it appears an airline employee stole a Horizon Air Turbo Prop from SeaTac and took off and crashed Ketron Island outside Seattle https://t.co/cUoWB7ruJt
— Kris Van Cleave (@krisvancleave) August 11, 2018
Video shared to Twitter appears to show the stolen airplane along with what looks like an F-15 in pursuit:
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
And photograph shared to Twitter show what appears to be smoke from the crash site:
Apparently someone stole a plane from SeaTac? Saw two fighter jets fly overhead then smoke pic.twitter.com/w0bveGUJQH
— McKenna Brown (@mckenna_brown) August 11, 2018
Suspected crash site:
Live coverage now from @KING5Seattle which had an eyewitness on air who saw the plane pass by and heard explosion. https://t.co/fGRh4gsywC pic.twitter.com/gJPHN5QmM2
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) August 11, 2018
It’s unclear at this time if the F-15 shot down the stolen plane:
Per JBLM source: After being contacted by F-15’s, stolen plane began to nose dive, crashing in north Pierce County. #KOMONews
— Morgan Chesky (@BreakingChesky) August 11, 2018
Latest update from Alaska Airlines (Horizon is subsidiary of the Alaska Air Group):
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We are aware of an incident involving an unauthorized take-off of a Horizon Air Q400. We believe there are no passengers on board. More information as we learn more.
— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) August 11, 2018
Update 1: Video of the crash:
Seconds after the plan crashed pic.twitter.com/SgxmAr66WG
— iRViNGTON BiLLSWORTH ??♂️ (@iRVvyBaun) August 11, 2018
Update 2: Sea-Tac Airport confirms the plane crashed in Puget Sound:
An airline employee conducted an unauthorized takeoff without passengers at Sea-Tac; aircraft has crashed in south Puget Sound. Normal operations at Sea-Tac Airport have resumed.
— Sea-Tac Airport (@SeaTacAirport) August 11, 2018
Update 3: Local coverage of the crash on Ketron Island:
LIVE: @kiro7chopper sighting flames on Ketron Island where stolen Horizon Air flight is believed to have crashed. Live on @KIRO7Seattle now https://t.co/p60S1GWFT4 #breaking pic.twitter.com/hNvdFRVZvD
— Morgan Palmer (@MorganKIRO7) August 11, 2018
And the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department is reporting that preliminary information is that the man who stole the plane was a mechanic from a yet-to-be determined airline:
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
Update 4: Audio from the cockpit and the tower:
I'm listening through the archive of the radio chatter on the #seatac hijacking. Below are some of the clips. pic.twitter.com/ziBAYv7cgn
— Jimmy Thomson (@jwsthomson) August 11, 2018
Here he is realizing how quickly he is burning through fuel. pic.twitter.com/ftnpowm9D4
— Jimmy Thomson (@jwsthomson) August 11, 2018
Here, the air traffic controller is trying to talk him into landing. pic.twitter.com/OxEe5T6JHJ
— Jimmy Thomson (@jwsthomson) August 11, 2018
Here, he asks for help getting the cabin pressurized so he isn't "so lightheaded."
— Jimmy Thomson (@jwsthomson) August 11, 2018
Update 5:
Two military F 15 chased plane but was not involved in crash
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) August 11, 2018
No passengers on plane.
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) August 11, 2018
Update 6. Pierce County Sheriff has ruled out terrorism:
Follow this thread for official info. This is not a terrorist incident. Confirmed info .. this is a single suicide male. We know who he is. No others involved.
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) August 11, 2018
Update 7: Latest from Alaska Airlines:
We've confirmed a Horizon Air Q400 that had an unauthorized takeoff from SeaTac around 8pm has gone down near Ketron Island in Pierce County, WA. 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.
— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) August 11, 2018
Update 7: More from the Pierce County Sheriff:
I am working with FBI and Military. All info sent out here is confirmed. Sheriff Paul Pastor will be contact at Steilacoom dock.
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) August 11, 2018
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
Update 8: Man who stole airplane brings up the minimum wage and race in conversation with air traffic controller:
This clip appears to be just a fragment of a conversation that was stepped on by other traffic, but he is saying something about "chalking it up" to minimum wage. pic.twitter.com/clkUp69A0D
— Jimmy Thomson (@jwsthomson) August 11, 2018
"Nah, I'm a white guy." #seatac pic.twitter.com/OVtJqphgqo
— Jimmy Thomson (@jwsthomson) August 11, 2018
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