Central Oregon Daily NewS HIJACKED AIRLINER Alaska Airlines Confirms Unauthorized Takeoff of Horizon Jet Moments after Alaska Airlines confirmed the unauthorized takeoff of a Horizon Air jet from SeaTac Airport, eyewitnesses near Seattle are reporting a crash and explosion after seeing two F-15’s chasing the stolen jet on Friday night. The F-15’s were Oregon National Guard fighter jets scrambled from Portland after air traffic control reported the unauthorized takeoff. In a tweet from their account, Alaska Airlines indicated there were no passengers on the plane. Eyewitnesses in the Seattle area have been posting still photos and video of the Horizon jet maneuvering erratically close to the water and tree line in Puget Sound before reports of a crash and explosion moments later.
So somebody skirted security, boarded an empty plane, taxied down the runway, took off, then crashed in the sound? Just like that.
Apparently it was a mechanic for one of the airlines who was suicidal. Thank goodness he didn't hurt anybody else.