A plane has crashed in Washington state after an unauthorized take-off was conducted by an airline employee on Aug. 10.
The plane, Alaska Airline’s Horizon Air Q400, was reportedly stolen from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and then crashed in south Puget Sound, near Ketron Island, Washington.
Two military F-15s pursued the plane but were not involved in the crash, KIRO7 reported.
No passengers were on board.
Sea-Tac airport confirmed the crash in a tweet.
“An airline employee conducted an unauthorized takeoff without passengers at Sea-Tac; aircraft has crashed in south Puget Sound. Normal operations at Sea-Tac have resumed.”
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
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s office, the suspect is confirmed to be a suicidal 29-year-old male.
Male is confirmed a suicidal male. Acted alone he is 29 year old Pierce county residence . We are working back ground on him now.
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) August 11, 2018
Local authorities said there was no indication that the incident was an act of terror and that the pilot appeared to have acted alone and was likely killed in the crash.
This is a developing story.
Reuters contributed to this report.
