A Horizon Air de Havilland Dash 8-400, performing an unauthorized flight from Seattle, WA (USA) to an undefined destination, departed Seattle’s runway without takeoff clearance with tower trying to query callsign and authorization.

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.

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.