Officials Stumped by Sea-Tac Worker Who Swiped Plane

The man accused of swiping a Horizon Air turboprop and taking it for a presumably fatal joyride had security clearance to be around aircraft, but no pilot's license, and authorities tell the Seattle P-I that they have no idea how he acquired the skills to fly a plane, much less perform the stunts he was observed doing. The AP identifies the 29-year-old airline worker as Richard Russell, and family members describe him as a kind and gentle husband, son, and friend whose stunt leaves them in complete shock. Russell was from Wasilla, Alaska, where he was a standout high school athlete, and former teachers and coaches appear similarly dumbfounded by his actions. Nicknamed "Beebo," Russell posted a funny video to YouTube last year in which he proclaimed "I lift a lot of bags. Like a lot of bags. So many bags." (Read more Seattle stories.)