A new documentary revisiting one of the Puget Sound region’s most shocking aviation incidents is now streaming, bringing renewed attention to the 2018 theft of a Horizon Air plane from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
“#SKYKING: Panic in the Sky” premiered on Hulu on Tuesday, April 14, examining the life and final moments of Richard “Beebo” Russell, the 28-year-old ground service agent who stole a commercial aircraft and flew it for more than an hour before crashing.
Watch the Hulu trailer below.
The film features newly released audio, family interviews, and a closer look at the mental health struggles investigators say Russell was experiencing leading up to the incident.
Russell, who worked for Horizon Air and had access to secure areas, was not a licensed pilot and had no formal flight training. On Aug. 10, 2018, he boarded an empty Q400 turboprop and took off from Sea-Tac, according to authorities.
During the 70-minute flight, Russell performed aerial maneuvers over Puget Sound, including loops and barrel rolls, before crashing on Ketron Island in Pierce County. He was the only person on board and died in the crash.
Air traffic control recordings, featured prominently in the documentary, capture Russell speaking candidly as he flew. At one point, he identified himself over the radio, saying, “Horizon guy, about to take off, it’s about to be crazy.”
Later in the flight, he described his mental state, telling controllers he was “just a broken guy, got a few screws loose, I guess.”
Authorities said Russell did not intend to harm others and had no political motive. Instead, the documentary explores how his actions reflected deeper personal struggles and broader issues surrounding mental health.
Friends and family interviewed in the film describe Russell as kind, funny, and well-liked. “He could never be a bad guy, he was always a good guy,” his aunt said in the documentary.
The film also examines Russell’s work environment and personal life, including his efforts to advance within Horizon Air and reported struggles with depression. Investigators later noted signs of increased alcohol use and emotional distress in the days leading up to the incident.
Throughout the flight, Russell declined multiple opportunities to land safely, despite assistance from air traffic controllers and the presence of military jets scrambled in response.
At one point, he asked if performing a barrel roll was possible. When advised to focus on landing, he replied with a single word: “Boring!”
The documentary also looks at how the incident quickly spread online, where Russell became known as “Sky King.” The film explores how his story was interpreted, debated, and in some cases distorted across social media.
Director Patricia Gillespie presents the story as both a deeply personal tragedy and a broader reflection of mental health challenges in the United States.
“#SKYKING: Panic in the Sky” is now streaming on Hulu. Watch the trailer below:
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