Horizon Air Dash 8 plane Crash // Video and Audio recording //

A Horizon Air de Havilland Dash 8-400, registration N449QX (?) performing an unauthorized flight from Seattle,WA (USA) to an undefined destination, departed Seattle's runway 16C without takeoff clearance with tower trying to query callsign and authorization at 19:35L (Aug 11th 02:35Z). The aircraft was subsequently seen in what appeared to be aerobatics or uncontrolled flight, two F-15 fighter aircraft were dispatched on scene at supersonic speed (and creating sonic booms). The Dash 8 crashed into a forest at Ketron Island,WA (USA), about 22nnm southwest of Seattle Tacoma Airport, about one hour after departing Seattle.

Pierce County,WA Sheriff's Office reported a 29 year old employee of Horizon Air stole the aircraft and performed an unauthorized takeoff. Two F-15 fighter aircraft were dispatched creating sonic booms. The Dash 8 crashed at Ketron Island,WA about one hour after the unauthorized takeoff. The 29 year old was the only person on board and died in the crash. FBI, NTSB and FAA are investigating, the FBI have now taken the lead into the criminal investigation.

Alaska Airlines, parent company of Horizon Air, initially reported the aircraft involved was N449QX but later removed the tail number from all their reports. The chairman confirmed one of their aircraft was involved in the occurrence, the thoughts are with the family of the deceased and their entire Horizon/Alaska Airlines family.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) reported the FAA requested assistance by the Department of Defence (DoD) due to a stolen aircraft a Seatac Airport, two F-15s were dispatched and were working to redirect the Dash out over the Pacific Ocean when it crashed. Neither of the fighter aircraft fired on the Dash 8. The further handling was passed to local rescue and law enforcement.

Alaska Airlines Fleet Update stated: "I can confirm the crashed plane was certainly #N449QX, as all other repainted Q400s are either currently parked at another airport or are in flight. It was the second of two planes delivered to Horizon Air in 2012."

No Mode-S or ADS-B were transmitted from the aircraft (suggesting its transponder was off) at the time of the departure or the subsequent hour until impact.

Source : AVIATION HERALD