Direct answer: The latest widely reported conclusions remain that the 2018 Horizon Air Q400 incident was an isolated act by a Horizon Air employee, not terrorist in nature, and the crash was deliberate.
Details and pointers:
- Investigation status: The FBI concluded the incident was deliberate and carried out by a single individual, with terrorism ruled out. This finding was published in late 2018 to 2019 and reaffirmed by aviation and security outlets, emphasizing no broader conspiracy or wider criminal activity.[2][3]
- Context of the incident: On August 10, 2018, an Horizon Air Q400 was stolen from Sea-Tac by a ground-service employee with no piloting experience, who then flew for about an hour before crashing on Ketron Island in Puget Sound; there were no other casualties.[3][2]
- Official statements: Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air and FBI communications at the time described the event as isolated, with no evidence of external manipulation or ties to terrorism; a comprehensive FBI report indicated the motive remained unclear but personal stressors did not indicate a planned terrorist act.[8][2]
Would you like a concise timeline of key events and the official findings, or a short explainer suitable for briefing someone unfamiliar with aviation investigations? I can also pull a few reliable sources summarized in a quick table if you want.
Sources
The U.S. FBI investigation of the Horizon Air Bombardier Q400 crash has concluded the airline employee who stole the aircraft at Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) International Airport deliberately crashed it into the ground.
aviationweek.comAn airplane was stolen by an airport employee, who then was able to take off without permission, and go for a joyride ultimately ending with his suicide.
seatacnoise.infoOn August 10, 2018, a Horizon Air De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 was stolen from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (Sea–Tac) by 28-year-old Richard Russell, ...
www.wikiwand.comUpdate: 10:15 a.m. on Nov. 9, 2018Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air appreciate the thorough investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) into the incident on Aug. 10, 2018. The FBI found this was an isolated, unanticipated incident by one individual. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) investigated the incident separately and determined there are no…
news.alaskaair.comOn August 10, 2018, a Horizon Air De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 was stolen from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (Sea–Tac) by 28-year-old Richard "Bee
www.dl1.en-us.nina.azAn airplane was stolen by an airport employee, who then was able to take off without permission, and go for a joyride ultimately ending with his suicide.
seatacnoise.info