Rogue pilot hijacks plane in Seattle

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lanes were reportedly grounded at the SeaTac International Airport as reports flew from passengers on Twitter that someone might have stolen an airplane and taken it on an unauthorized flight.

Nothing was confirmed yet from authorities, but live aviation audio from the tower said authorities were urging a man to try “to land that airplane safely and not hurt anybody.” Other audio reported a ground stop was underway at SeaTac, the airport that services Seattle and Tacoma.

The man’s name was “Rich,” according to tower audio and, at one point, he told the tower he was losing an engine. Periodically, his voice cut into the dispatches. At one point, “Rich” (or “Rick”), said on the aviation audio, “This is probably jail time for life, huh? I would hope it is for a guy like me.” People on Twitter who were following the aviation audio reported that the man attempted a “barrel roll” with the plane at one point – or at least claimed he was going to do so. Others reported that the man had supposedly “buzzed” Mt. Rainier.

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