One of The Saddest Stories I’ve told… | Horizon Q400 theft

Published at : 17 Dec 2025

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August 10th, 2018. A ground service agent stole a Bombardier Q400 from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and took off for a 75 minute long unauthorised flight…with no formal training. This incident shocked the aviation industry and the world. Exposing cracks in airport security and sparking a real look at mental health within the aviation industry.

If you, or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a mental health expert. Support is always out there.

Support Resources:
Global - Find your local support line: https://befrienders.org/
Global - 24/7 Help chat: https://crisistextline.org
UK – Call Samaritans at 116 123
US – Call or text 988


0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Who Stole The Bombardier Q400?
10:17 - How Was The Plane Stolen?
20:48 - ATC Realizes Something Is Wrong
38:14 - Final Investigation
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Below you will find the links to videos and sources used in this episode.

SOURCES
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https://www.baaa-acro.com/sites/default/files/2021-12/N449QX-1.pdf
https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/seattle/news/press-releases/fbi-completes-investigation-into-august-2018-unauthorized-
flight-from-seattle-tacoma-airport
https://vault.fbi.gov/richard-russell
https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/beebo-russell-seattle-plane-theft-true-story-1187023/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caFIrBXtSxs
https://www.youtube.com/@WhatYouHaventSeen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhqkP6eZRwg
https://www.youtube.com/@ActionKid
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUt-W8Fcpyw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LLmF9tZoEE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZC8de10mq0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DstWZY_eUOc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gutKuNSppIo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ujOq741RK8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HskJna8duI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkRbinlR00o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF3ftaTqHjE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEpxK9rGAL8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_DWeELgVog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_jw-fciuC8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaqaI8EqG5c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC_adpMf8KA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cEIp2bLGAY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi-bJ3cw_AI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzcF7LITYww
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXIr9LNclPQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_oA19aVpdM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHbCvTtTqx4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfRclcwh4bE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTUqWt9DcU4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWFTdhN219U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqdHfhV4Fbc



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