Authorities say the 29-year-old 'suicidal male' who stole a plane at Seattle-Tacoma Airport and later crashed it had full security clearance

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

• The Horizon Air mechanic who took off in a plane without permission at Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Airport was a ground service agent with Horizon Air since 2015, authorities said Saturday.
• They said the man had undergone various background checks and had full security clearance to be close to the aircraft, but that it was unclear how he was able to operate the plane for about an hour before crashing.
• The mechanic, who has been described as a 29-year-old "suicidal male," was killed in the crash.
• There were no other passengers or crew members on board, and no one on the ground was hurt.

Authorities said on Saturday that a Horizon Air mechanic who took off in a plane without permission at Seattle-Tacoma (Sea-Tac) Airport was a ground service agent with Horizon Air since 2015. Since taking that position, authorities said the employee had undergone various background checks and had full security clearance to be close to the aircraft.

However, officials said it was unclear how he was able to operate the plane and perform loops in the air for about an hour before crashing near Ketron Island. The mechanic was killed, and there were no other passengers or crew members on board.See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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