This is a developing story. Check back at Aeronautics as new details emerge.

Some dude stole a plane from #Seatac (Allegedly), did a loop-the-loop, ALMOST crashed into #ChambersBay, then crossed in front of our party, chased by fighter jets and subsequently crashed. Weird times. pic.twitter.com/Ra4LcIhwfU — bmbdgty (@drbmbdgty) August 11, 2018

I'm listening through the archive of the radio chatter on the #seatac hijacking. Below are some of the clips. pic.twitter.com/ziBAYv7cgn — Jimmy Thomson (@jwsthomson) August 11, 2018

Update 1:24EST: The employee who stole the Q400 is now reported to be a customer service agent who pushed the plane back himself and learned to start up the plane. Coworkers say he was a typical employee who showed no intent to cause any harm.

A Horizon Q400 is reported to have been stolen from Seattle Tacoma airport by a rogue mechanic. No passengers were aboard at the time.

After departing, the pilot, called Rich by ATC, is said to have threatened air traffic control to do a barrel roll. The pilot also announced his intentions to flyby various landmarks around Seattle and informed ATC that he had experience flying in video games. ATC brought in a Q400 pilot to talk him down but the rogue pilot refused to comply.

An airline employee conducted an unauthorized takeoff without passengers at Sea-Tac; aircraft has crashed in south Puget Sound. Normal operations at Sea-Tac Airport have resumed. — Sea-Tac Airport (@SeaTacAirport) August 11, 2018

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

The rogue pilot crashed the aircraft on Ketron Island.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s office stated via Twitter:

“Stolen horizon airplane crashed into Ketron island. Preliminary info is that a mechanic from unknown airlines stole plane. Was doing stunts in air or lack of flying skills caused crash into Island.” The Sheriff’s Department added, “Two military F 15 chased plane but was not involved in crash” and confirmed, “No passengers on plane.”