Alaska Airlines plane crashes after being stolen; man who crashed aircraft was suicidal, say officials

An Alaska Airline plane that was apparently stolen by an employee has crashed into an island off the Washington state, said the officials at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, adding that the employee, believed to be a mechanic, ‘conducted an unauthorised take-off without any passengers aboard’ on Friday.

ALSO READ: Four killed in shooting in Canadian town: police

We've confirmed a Horizon Air Q400 that had an unauthorized takeoff from SeaTac around 8pm has gone down near Ketron Island in Pierce County, WA. We're working to confirm who was on board, we believe there were no guests or crew on board other than the person operating the plane.

— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) August 11, 2018

“We are working to confirm who was on board, we believe there were no guests or crew on board other than the person operating the plane,” Alaksa Airlines Tweeted earlier.

We are aware of an incident involving an unauthorized take-off of a Horizon Air Q400. We believe there are no passengers on board. More information as we learn more.

— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) August 11, 2018

Reportedly, several witnesses have claimed that the plane was being chased by a military aircraft near the airport.

Some guy stole a Alaska Air plane and either crashed or got shot out of the sky!! RT @drbmbdgty: Some dude stole a plane from #Seatac (Allegedly), did a loop-the-loop, ALMOST crashed into #ChambersBay, then crossed in front pic.twitter.com/TkJIa5j4BM

— RamblinMan🚶🏼‍♂️ (@mipo777) August 11, 2018

Oregon Air National Guard F-15’s scrambled from Portland after Alaska Airlines confirms unauthorized takeoff of Horizon Air jet from SeaTac Airport. Eyewitnesses near Seattle reporting crash and explosion moments later. No passengers believed to be on plane other than pilot. pic.twitter.com/h2ufZGbXIQ

— Central Oregon Daily (@TheCODaily) August 11, 2018

Meanwhile, normal operations at the Sea-Tac Airport has resumed.