A couple of questions about the Skyking documentary (Richard Russell)
Posted by AgreeableElevator67@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 54 comments
I recently watched the documentary on Richard “Beebo” Russell, #SKYKING, about the airline/airport worker that stole a plane and flew it for over an hour, with no prior experience or training.
The story and documentary is wild. I heard of it at the time, but never listened to the ATC recording. After watching and hearing everything I have some questions or would like to hear opinions of those more knowledgeable. I also realize this was an unprecedented situation and they weren’t aware of his intentions and did the best they could.
- Would they ever have considered having his wife, mom, or other family member get on the radio to help talk him down? Is no one untrained ever allowed on the radio?
- What would the punishment likely be? He thought he was going to be attacked upon landing or given a life sentence. The documentary says “theft of an aircraft” is the only crime per the FBI. This is obviously nuanced, but Google says felony with anywhere from 1-10 years in prison.
- Similarly, was the FBI/other LE aware and could they have had a negotiator on the call? ATC did his best, but it was a lot to put on him.
- The actual airline pilot (Captain William?) seemed so indifferent. No real question here.
Understandably, no one knew how this was going to end (or when exactly), but it pretty clear early on this wasn’t an act of terror.
Anxious_Hunt_1219@reddit
I feel like the movie had a sense of propaganda to it… this person needed help mentally and committed a very very serious crime. The actions he took could have put hundreds of lives at risk.
It’s crazy because when people are suicidal they fail to see what they have. This guy had so much potential. Maybe he was working a dead-end job, but you can only go up from there!
Can’t help but feel awful for the mom and wife.
NotEvenWrongAgain@reddit
What potential do you believe he had? His life peak appeared to be a sub d3 scholarship he dropped out of.
Scorpionoshow@reddit
> -Would they ever have considered having his wife, mom, or other family member get on the radio to help talk him down? Is no one untrained ever allowed on the radio?
> - Similarly, was the FBI/other LE aware and could they have had a negotiator on the call? ATC did his best, but it was a lot to put on him.
I said the EXACT same things to my partner when we were watching this. I don't want to sound too judgemental because it was an unprecedented event, but the FAA guy that he was talking to was clearly not equipped to handle the situation. Beebo really could have benefited a lot from talking to someone who was more compassionate and knew how to connect to him on a human level.
NotEvenWrongAgain@reddit
They are trying to avoid unnecessary deaths, not to make Russell feel better about his shitty life choices.
Do you want them to spend time cheering him up by blaming the blacks for his life failures, or use it to help him avoid him crashing into a school?
DA6_FTW@reddit
Did a baggage handler bone your wife bro?
NotEvenWrongAgain@reddit
Don’t think this particular baggage handler was even boning his own judging by her attitude
Competitive-Year452@reddit
I don’t think he was blaming the blacks at all, it was an bad comment but it was apparently said to him. And it wasn’t shitty life choices it was pressure some people feel because there’s a whole that just can’t be filled
NotEvenWrongAgain@reddit
He claimed it was said to him, and he clearly was blaming the blacks for his failures.
Lots of people are unhappy, many are depressed, very few people risk other peoples lives in their suicides. If he was a dead “urban youth” who stole a Ferrari and was endangering people driving around at high speed then no one would even bother looking as to why he did it. But let a white fat ass failure who was too racist for the police do the same thing and we’re all supposed feel for him.
EnvironmentalMud4983@reddit
Where did he blame black people? Not a “white man“ could also be a white woman, an asian or a latino person. You seem to have internalized a lot of divisive and poisonous talking points.
coastalbutterfly7@reddit
Same, with the things he was saying, it seems like he was ready to pour his heart out to someone but everyone just wanted to talk "business". I can't help but wonder if they could have gotten a crisis negotiator on the line if it would have been any different. I know time was limited for such things, but hard not to wonder.
StressPrestigious464@reddit
Exactly, I just watched the documentary and I got a little upset when I heard the pilot say “ we don’t want to hurt the plane”. You can hear Beebo scoffing and laughing, I had the same reaction as him. I know the pilots probably aren’t trained for de-escalation, but Jesus
AgreeableElevator67@reddit (OP)
I know! Of course no one could know what was really going on in his head, but he did not sound like he had his mind made up the entire time.
Confident_Chard3913@reddit
I think it’s horrible that Hannah never answered questions or maintained a relationship with his family. She lived nearby.. why wasn’t she on the radio? How horrible. Doesn’t sound like she was a good wife at all.
NotEvenWrongAgain@reddit
She was a better wife than he was a husband. She didn’t kill herself leaving him to clean up the mess. Thank god for her they had no kids
Snoo_70860@reddit
Mental health is a bitch
Big_Specialist2561@reddit
Wow reddit really is full of shitty fucking people.
sugarmittens@reddit
She seems like a very private person and I don’t blame her at all. She endured something extremely traumatic and public that we can’t begin to comprehend. I think she deserves a lot of grace, especially when we know next to nothing about her.
Maximum_Morning_3588@reddit
This story immediately grabbed me when I heard about it. I watched the Hulu doc a few days ago and had a lot of the same questions. I think his wife refused to answer any questions to anyone. But I had the same feelings - why did they ask him so many open-ended questions, "what are you gonna do?", instead of steering him, lifting him up, providing guidance. On the other hand, the FAA is a serious organization that has to deal with threats in a serious way. I've heard some people in the industry say that they were ready to totally remove the "hijacker" - they had to take this as a serious threat. In some ways, it's surprising the military didn't intervene more. Truly a profound story.
NotEvenWrongAgain@reddit
With the benefit of hindsight they certainly should have shot him down over water
Fun-Sprinkles3326@reddit
Actually, with the benefit of hindsight, that would have yielded the exact same result.
NotEvenWrongAgain@reddit
Wouldn’t have damaged other peoples trees and gardens
Swimming_Way_7372@reddit
The answer to your 1st question is time. They didn't have much because there isn't infinite fuel, are they supposed to have some one drive down to TRACON to talk on the radio. That takes too long.
dego_frank@reddit
He was in the air for more than an hour. You’re telling me they can’t put a phone on speaker? Cmon dude
Miraclefish@reddit
It would mean:
You're talking with the benefit of hindsight.
Uglyontheinside9@reddit
Boy youre smart thanks that was like extremely pleasurable to read
dego_frank@reddit
All that is cool except for the fact that Alaska Air had his mom wheels up before he crashed. He also never stated his issues were with family, it was quite obvious he was concerned for people on the ground and his issue was with his employer. Nice formatting though
NotEvenWrongAgain@reddit
If he was really concerned with people on the ground he wouldn’t have left it
Miraclefish@reddit
He never stated it was his issue, but that doesn't mean it is a good idea to rush an untrained family memes into what is effectively a hostage style situation.
No responsible law enforcement would ever allow it during a time of crisis like that.
dego_frank@reddit
Who tf said anything about law enforcement? You’re telling me ATC is trained on this. Cmon dude give it up
Miraclefish@reddit
They aren't trained on it and that's exactly why nobody in ATC or law enforcement is getting a rogue highjacker's family on the phone during a volatile situation like this, you're living in a fantasy world.
dego_frank@reddit
He stole the plane, it wasn’t highjacked but keep going off sis
Vegetable_Still2343@reddit
Does talking like a middle schooler usually work for you to convince people? There's no right answer to a lot of this, and you make some fair points, but your obnoxious add ons are so juvenile. Please, please stop talking like that, especially since you are wrong on some of these points.
dego_frank@reddit
Ok bot
Miraclefish@reddit
Yeah how weird I'd use that word when it means:
Highjacked" (typically spelled hijacked) refers to taking control of a vehicle, aircraft, or system by force or threats, or illegally seizing control of something for one's own advantage
dego_frank@reddit
Probably because you are one? Nice use of Google but hijacking a plane and stealing one are two very different things according to the law. I’m done with you my guy this has run its course.
Lucky_Programmer789@reddit
Did you really just drop a "no YOU are?" Yikes.. 🤦🏼♀️😂
Miraclefish@reddit
God what a fucking waste of time this was. Please never reply to me again.
In fact I'll block you so you can't.
AmbitiousEconomics@reddit
>Alaska Air had his mom wheels up probably right after he crashed. They had time to contact her and get a plane ready, get her to and through the airport, etc.
Yeah, that took the better part of the day. Far from the \~45 minutes the ATC had between finding his name, contacting his employer, pulling contact info and then pulling contact info for his mom and then getting in touch with his mom.
Do you really think it was as easy as "ATC had her cellphone number in front of them and also had her standing by and chose not to?" Not to mention he was already on bingo fuel and had said he didn't know how to land, so a qualified pilot who knew how to land would be much more useful to get on the phone because even if they talked him down he didn't have the ability to land alone and was running out of time.
dego_frank@reddit
Bro did you read what I wrote? Better part of the day? They knew who he was and had his mom on the way to the airport and on a plane before he crashed.
snowman741@reddit
Just wanted to add they had his mom up in the air while he was still alive flying the plane and even knew he was married and knew his wife name and everything before he even crashed. So not sure what theo other guy is talking about. Obviously he didn't listen to the transcript or watch the Hulu documentary
Miraclefish@reddit
Just because they know who his family are doesn't mean they are legally or morally able to put them on the phone in a high pressure hijacking situation, what is it with you people who think you know how the world works?
snowman741@reddit
Never said they should had put them on the phone I just said they knew who his family was and had that information while he was still alive. Some of you people on here are spreading false information saying they didn't have that information until after he had died.
Miraclefish@reddit
If you'd actually read my comments I said nothing whatsoever on that topic, so thyis has been a waste of time for us both.
snowman741@reddit
It would mean:
• Identifying him
• How long would it take to find his details, get contact information to the police, have someone explain the situation and assess the potential friends and family
That's what you said. They identified him within first 17 minutes after the guy in the tower call the FAA. Quickly after that they had identified his mom and wife and even started preparing to get his mom ready to go to the airport to fly to Atlanta. His mom was on the airplane up in the air before he even died. All of that happened within the first 40 minutes. So yes you are spreading bad information on here before with your post
Miraclefish@reddit
You've entirely missed my point - we're done here. Bye and block.
AmbitiousEconomics@reddit
I think you’re going off the documentary dramatization rather than what actually happened, am I right?
Do I need to explain how television works?
Low_Word_6618@reddit
What does “splash” mean when a military pilot says it?
elgenericonameo@reddit
I mean even IF they were able to get his wife or mom through to speak with him and convince him to not crash the plane do you HONESTLY think or believe somebody with absolutely ZERO flight experience would be able to SAFELY land a plane? Because i mean yah he definitely did a decent job of keeping the plane upright and what not but landings are the most difficult part of flying from everything ive heard/read.
rci22@reddit
It’s been done before, but tbf only with smaller airplanes
GGCRX@reddit
As far as the punishment, it could have been much longer than 10 years. There would doubtless have been multiple charges. Theft of an airplane is just the most obvious one.
Off the top of my head, unauthorized access to a federal secure area (he was authorized to be there but only for the purposes of doing his job, not to steal an airplane), reckless endangerment, theft of government resources (ATC dealing with him instead of what they should have been doing), etc.
Full-Policy705@reddit
They would have piled on many charges to make a point.
Technical-Point-2440@reddit
The irony of that is the only reason why they said they would just charge him with theft of an airplane is simply to keep people from nose diving down and destroying the aircraft.
snowman741@reddit
But the justice system sucks in America. Sure he could had been charged with way more than just theft of airplane but probably would have been a free man in under 15 years if he didn't kill anyone and just landed or crashed into the ocean and made it.
GGCRX@reddit
And... That's the minimum of what should have happened. The guy was obviously mentally ill. He didn't plan to kill anyone. This wasn't an act of terrorism.
He stole a plane, which is very bad but also so far outside the bounds of normal criminality that you have to suspect the mental sanity necessary to form criminal intent simply wasn't there.
There's probably an argument that he shouldn't have gone to prison at all, but to an in-patient mental health facility where he'd only get out if and when they felt he was sane.