The Internet's Favorite Hijacker: The Tragic Tale of Sky King

[@Wendigoon]

Go to my sponsor aura.com/wendigoon to get a 14 day free trial and see if your personal information has been leaked online

[@Rickrolled7821]

Hello

[@josephjackson2172]

I love you

[@icantcopee]

do u like cheese

[@midgets111]

That shirt is fuckin SICK

[@The-sun-is-in]

For April fools, do a video on skibidi toilet @Weindigoon

[@Ihaveshingles]

“I’m sorry about this, I hope it doesn’t ruin your day” spoken as a man who knows he’s about to take his own life is so unimaginably sad. RIP Richard Russel.

[@thebadlander3608]

RIP

[@trite4654]

He literally ruined their days. He ruined a lot more than the day. Why is everyone so empathetic to this guy? He killed himself and caused utter chaos for ground crews in a random manic episode that he clearly didn't regret and his family clearly didn't care much either. Not to mention the cost of an airplane. Which I'm positive his family will not be reimbursing. This isn't sad or quirky to me. It's just weird. Why would he do it? Why is he remembered/revered for it? He's just a random loon who had a bad day and decided to make it terrible for everyone else, too

[@daltonbedore8396]

​@@trite4654get some empathy dude.

[@trite4654]

@@daltonbedore8396 I feel for his family. I think he was either an idiot, or severely ill.

[@Bigwizheard]

​@@trite4654spoken like a person who never had any issues in their life 🤡. That man needed help desperately but of course as usual the mental health of our men is scoffed at idk I'm the type of person when I see something like this I'm not like look at this jackass I'm like Jesus Christ to do all this this man must be fighting some real demons and sadly he lost he wanted a hoora before he left

[@Opti]

I can confirm, I was glad you mentioned the two fighter jets were F-15 Eagles.

[@chrise8275]

Bruh, What the hell is The Top Dawg of Millergrove Heights doing here?

[@lillasagna5487]

Did they have that horser on them?

[@skinneis]

Always keep that horser on you

[@jonlaskonis]

What is the Top Dawg of Millergrove Heights with his horser doing here?!

[@iziahdelorme8698]

@@chrise8275he can’t be no top dawg of Miller grove, if he let some chiefs fan take his wife and kids because he “can put a ring on her finger” have fun buying a new TV opti 😂😂 L BOZO

[@nophone9311]

His words "Just a broken guy, got a few screws loose" still haunt me.

[@krwalks1700]

Breaks my heart man

[@ariessa7382]

Oh that part too! Sorry I haven't watched the video through but I was in Washington when the news dropped and remember watching it a bit.

[@bradparker9664]

"I'll just go nose down and call it a night" got to me more than being broken with screws loose.

[@792slayer]

I think we've all been there once or twice.

[@FusashiYuraka]

I think what makes those words so haunting to me personally is what he says after "Just didn't realize it until I was up here." The fact that he had a moment of clarity enough to realize that he was in too deep and this choice had no going back in his perspective is what makes it painful.

[@Aryasvitkona]

That "affirm he did a barrel roll" was unironically the fighter pilots just asking each other if they both saw it and they weren't hallucinating. A decent translation for the layman would be basically "Did I see that shit correctly dude?" I respect the fighter pilots for their ability to acknowledge how sweet that was given his lack of training and the aircraft he did it in.

[@S4vagecatofficial]

Ong

[@CannonGoodmen]

Bro just copied what bro said in the video and thought we wouldn't notice

[@cameronmiller5592]

My father took his life with his plane. In November 1995, David Burley took up his cesna and brought it down outside of wadsworth, OH. The impact of Richard Russel's story is not to be understated. My father dealt with many psychological issues, as did Richard. He was just a broken guy with a few screws loose. Thank you, Isaiah for covering this. Fly high, Sky King.

[@kristita_888]

I’m so sorry you lost your father to such terrible circumstances.

[@madblunts6396]

Sorry for your loss brother. Never thought I'd see wadsworth brought up on youtube

[@TarikSkubalEnjoyer457]

Sorry for your loss man

[@euriditia]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Being a victim of it myself, I feel your pain. I hope you're doing alright ❤❤

[@MasterMatter]

Shit, I'm from Ohio, I remember my mom talking about this I think? Sorry man, we can talk about it if ya want? Just sayin.... anyway hope you've grown a lot in good ways since 95. Love ya man, we can talk one day soon. @cameronmiller5592

[@churchthatoneguy]

"Im sorry. I hope I didn't ruin your day." I've said that before. Right after bindge, drinking myself at a bar, I passed out in the bathroom, and the bouncer had to come get me. Lost a buddy of mine to suicide a week before probably the lowest I have ever been. The bouncer took me aside and just talked to me for a while. I told him about my buddy, what he did in the military, how close I was, and the loss, and he just listened. I haven't ever done that since, and honestly, my heart still twitches a bit when i hear someone say that, and I try to do the same for them that one bouncer did for me that night. Just listen, it's all someone needs sometimes.

[@Melissamms]

Hope you're feeling a little better now. Thats a tough spot to be in.

[@chelseakitkatz]

Fuck man. I’m tearing up. Keep doing the same for other people, that’s all we can do. I hope you’re taking care of yourself these days.

[@churchthatoneguy]

@Melissamms much better thanks to friends and family

[@Melissamms]

@@churchthatoneguy That's great to hear.

[@Terralncognita]

Hey man, hope you’re doing alright.

[@meltedWax169]

"Yknow i was kinda hoping that was gonna be the end of it yknow" bro didnt even plan on finishing the barrel roll.

[@insanospaz]

Cleared the water by 10ft... Had to be the biggest high, immediately followed by one of the most crushing weights of reality. Man was prepared to go out in style and just barely didn't. At that point I think I'd have just given up the will to die and gone with a landing.

[@cfhstyo]

@@insanospaz Guts moment.

[@ZeranZeran]

@@insanospaz There's something morbidly beautiful about this. I really feel for this man. RIP Richard.

[@highdefinition450]

he planned on going down doing this sick ass move lmao

[@Karl_Kampfwagen]

Modern flight sims and numerous test flights excerpts have taught me: You may be an idiot, and you might try some outlandish maneuvers... But a Boeing 7X7 (727, 737, 747, 757, etc) will barrel roll happily, and has enough brains to prevent most crashes and stalls.

[@korebeast973]

I'd like to add about the barrel roll, I heard at some point that an engineer said "Had I been asked if I thought such a thing is possible I would have laughed." He did not believe the plane was capable of a barrel roll.

[@Karl_Kampfwagen]

@@korebeast973 I believe it was Kelly Johnson, test pilot for Boeing who said: "hold my beer...." right before barrel rolling a brand new 737/747.... After he was EXPLICITLY told NOT TO. But the airframe held up, and everyone involved pooped out diamonds from the stress of the moment, but it was a hilarious feat.

[@ASDeckard]

Literally all aircraft, with the possible exception of the Wright Flyer, are capable of barrel rolls. Ospreys can do it, both in hover and in level flight. Chinooks have famously done it. Large heavy lift helicopters can do it. Literally the largest passenger jets can, and in a surprising number of cases, can do it. You literally only need a roll rate higher than like 5 degrees per second, which even the Space Shuttle can casually do, and enough altitude to fly ballistically during the roll, which that right there is the only reason I doubt the Wright Flyer could do it: it had far too low of an altitude limit (literally less than 100 feet). That's it. It literally puts less stress on the aircraft or wings than flying level does, and it requires no special coordination.

[@haleypoole9081]

@@ASDeckard Beat me too it lol

[@the_sandman__]

Sometimes the less you know means the less you have to fear, and fearlessness allows you to act more confidently, fluidly, smoothly, etc, which can directly translate into that person pulling off something incredible. I think that Rich not knowing the hundreds of components that could have easily malfunctioned or just straight up broke during that maneuver, combined with the fact that he literally said he was kinda hoping that he'd die in the attempt, gave him a sort of autonomous ultra instinct Goku-like fluidity to his barrel roll attempt. Where as the engineer mentioned literally knowing everything that could, and probably should, have gone wrong down to a mathematical level, having the outright mindset that it was impossible, would never have a chance at pulling that roll off, due in large part to second guessing and overthinking everything during the attempt.

[@banhammer3904]

I had thought the DO A BARREL ROLL meme was from Starfox. Apparently, it's from the Sky King incident.

[@TwilightWolf2508]

The fact that he was able to pull off the barrel roll without crashing or having the plane disintegrate is absolutely mind blowing

[@WinterDutchie]

and the fact he kept the plane intact without a wing shearing off from force and gravity is incredible

[@machina5]

​@@WinterDutchie That's exactly what Twilight said lol

[@Hornet135]

Dash 8s are tough airplanes.

[@Karl_Kampfwagen]

@@TwilightWolf2508 There's an old test pilot that would routinely Barrel Roll large commercial airframes from Boeing.... The planes got larger, and the engineers told him not to Barrel Roll the new airframe. 😅 So he did it anyways. The plane handled it just fine

[@Karl_Kampfwagen]

@@WinterDutchie As long as the "forward" velocity is high enough, the wings have enough "lift" (even when upside-down, aka wings now pushing down towards Earth against airframe, along with Gravity) to maintain proper tension and stiffness all throughout. In other words: if you don't have the balls to push it hard enough, it will break the airframe during low-speed maneuvers, but high speeds stabilize and strengthen it.

[@CrimsonLegacy]

23:35 Where he says "Damn it Andrew - People's lives are at stake here!" I dont think he was actually upset or in an unstable state of mind (at least in terms of the situation already). I think he was making a joke about how dramatic the situation is, like it was a character in an action movie yelling over the radio. Throughout almost the entire conversation he says tongue-in-cheek comments and jokes. In fact, immediately after saying this in a dramatic "action movie" voice, he completely switches back to his joking lighthearted voice and jokes about the air traffic controller "whispering sweet nothings in [his] ear".

[@nannettefreeman7331]

Ditto. I hear echoes of “Damn it, Jim…” from Star Trek or “You’re too low, damn it” from Airplane. He was simply trying to inject a little levity into an otherwise stressful situation, I think. ✌🏼

[@RileyE.]

Naw definitely, I think the low Oxygen was getting to him and he was memein something you would hear in a movie. Then the sweet nothings remark seems like him saying he wants to keep chatting to someone and doesn’t care about what.

[@theripper4254]

Exacto

[@douggaudiosi14]

He was def just messing around

[@1213JayStar]

​@@RileyE. I don't think so. I tried to find the data but failed, maybe someone else can confirm but I doubt he spent much time over 10,000ft. He performed the barrel roll around 5,000ft. At 10,000ft most healthy people can breathe just fine and it's the level pilots will bring a craft too after depressurization (since there's a limited amount of oxygen supplied by those masks).

[@ericrisinger1241]

I once told a coworker about skyking and he told me he didn't believe it and thought I was fooled by an Internet hoax story. I told him we have audio, video, us military involvement and an FAA report and he still didn't believe me. Boggled my mind. Showed him the footage, he still thought it was made up. I still don't really get it

[@PuttBlug69]

lmao why would someone even make this up? your coworker sounds odd

[@CMDR_Vile]

Sounds like major cognitive dissonance and npc behavior.

[@aquilaion8270]

I want to know that man's thoughts on AI

[@JohnSmithKillFeds]

You made up your coworker

[@tarancehill651]

My co worker SWEARS he has the shazaam movie with cedric the entertainer at home. Still hasnt brought it.

[@punk303]

I am an aircraft mechanic by trade, and I used to work on Q400's. I actually worked on this exact serial number many times. I can tell you with 100% certainty, all of the Horizon Q's were configured to carry 76 passengers. Once again the FBI got it wrong. With all that aside, this is truly a heart wrenching story. May Bebo rest in peace, and I wish the absolute best for the family he left behind.

[@werhatesmattes6355]

what freaked me out the most was when he said "I've got to stop looking at the fuel because it's going down quick." the fuel being basically the ticking clock counting down his life. must have been a frightening realisation.

[@bboi1489]

He definitely came to his senses during the flight. What a shame.

[@ploxjump5825]

What freaked me out the most was wendi omitting, "im just a white guy".

[@coh2conscript851]

that took me out too @@ploxjump5825

[@40watt53]

@@ploxjump5825 yall really picking out the line that "oh could possibly sound the worst" god damn just appreciate the video

[@FirePuncher183]

​@@ploxjump5825he didn't

[@ihaverabies]

he's like an older brother who doesn't talk to his younger siblings often but whenever he does it's always about obscure thing that you probably haven't heard of edit: for clarification i'm talking abt wendigoon not the guy the video is about🙃

[@THALASA]

That's Autism my friend

[@justguy-4630]

Not one for small talk but always leave a story to remember. Sounds like a guy I can chill with.

[@KevinKiermaierIsTop10AllTime]

This is so funny because it’s so accurate to my older brother

[@skylerbertram7036]

Like when I tell my preteen sister about Project Blue Beam.

[@sarahanke3292]

it’s like when my brother comes home from college 😭

[@johnbeauvais3159]

I was at an aeronautical school when this happened and there’s already a gallows humor among pilots but there was a deep reverence for him, an understanding and an acknowledgment like “we’ve all thought it”

[@butterstamp3767]

you've ALL thought it???? i'm never flying again. omg

[@banana-uo3be]

nah bro 💀💀💀💀💀🙏

[@Stealth55555]

Everyone gets intrusive thoughts... Only SkyKing lives them through...

[@discipleofdagon8195]

​@butterstamp3767 on an empty plane? Bro chill and stop acting like a drama queen.

[@BasedDrewpy]

Real talk either delete this comment or change your channel name bro, if any company does a background search and sees this comment ur done 💀

[@emexdizzy]

I was suicidal when Richard took his last flight. He pulled off a barrel roll on his first flight ever, then after that magnificent feat, he still chose to end it. I haven't done anything as noteworthy or remarkable as that, but I chose to live and I'm still here. I'm content with my life now. I was stubborn enough to give it a chance and I'm glad I did, and I wish Richard had tried to give things a chance.

[@BulkernatorKerb]

To be fair you have no idea how many times he gave it a chance before he finally couldn't take it anymore.

[@LMYS5697]

He pulled off a barrel roll in a passenger airliner (Dash-8) somewhere around 5000 feet. Doing a barrel roll isn't hard, in a fighter jet, or an acrobatic aircraft. But doing one in something like a Dash-8 at that height? Pretty incredible. They just aren't built for the particular g loadings of high performance flying. If this has been a jet airliner instead of a turbo prop, he probably would have put a wing into the surf and that would be it.

[@mint5438]

Sometimes people just don't get those chances no matter how hard they fight. It'll always be an uphill battle. Not saying people shouldn't, but that's how it goes sadly.

[@borednerd5767]

life fucking sucks though, and we can't go looking for meaning in the big rare events. it's in the small everyday mundane that we have to find these moments that make us choose life.

[@zzevonplant]

I'm really glad you did. I've tried & considered to end myself, one time was more serious though & landed me in the hospital & whatnot. But, I could not POSSIBLY be more glad that I failed miserably at suicide. I'm so glad to be alive now, even though I went through a LOT of hell between that attempt & all the ideations & now - I've also FINALLY got a decent life after 28 years of Hell. It was all worth it to see my daughter smile. Being a mother has completely changed my view of everything, especially my own life. So, I'm really glad - even if it's just basic contentment with everyday life - that you've found something to live for. God bless you.

[@eXpLiiiSiT]

You forgot to mention that the Orca was carrying her dead baby for 17 days grieving. The day after Beebo "wanted to see them guys" she moved on from her deceased baby. Gives me chills

[@Justadonkey]

Did we watch the same video? Im so confused lol

[@outsomnia]

@@Justadonkey At one point he mentions to the F15 pilot that he wants to go and see the Orca that was in the News few days ago, allegedly carrying her deceased baby around grieving for multiple days. Maybe you skipped that part in the video or you didn't pay too much attention to it. i think it lasted like 20-30 seconds in the video.

[@OrangeYTT]

​@@Justadonkey24:35

[@sr.fluffuls]

@@Justadonkey I know that sometimes despite what the video is titled people can still talk about even the smallest things in the video. I've had this exact mindset until I understand the original comment.

[@dragz]

@@sr.fluffulsyea dude like those weird YT meme posts and the comments are just random yappers left and right 😂

[@Uber_GoobTube]

RIP Skyking. He could have done so much damage, but he chose to do a loop. Fly high brother.

[@ToasterStronkle]

Man didn’t wanna hurt anyone besides himself I guess.

[@notpaul3378]

​@@TR13400 Very bad take

[@jacobtvobrien9546]

@@TR13400L take. Bozo

[@acheerio7003]

L@@TR13400

[@maninthemask6275]

@@notpaul3378he’s just mad because the event exposes how racial biases can effect people one thing the media doesn’t tell you about this is how Sky king felt discriminated against, even most outlets that reported on the even cut the part where he says “nah they probably wouldn’t (give me a job) I’m a straight white guy.”

[@chanelesparza8563]

Gosh, I started tearing up at the part about him realizing the view wasn’t what he thought it was. I feel that way about life in general recently, it’s such an impactful statement.

[@justinb1488]

Even Richard said it's beautiful in a different context. The beauty was suppressed by his want to end his life. Find that other context!! Most people that reach the point of no return and survive typically have the same response, they realize they want to live too late. If anyone has thoughts of hurting yourself, seek help please!!

[@FS-qk5uq]

​@@justinb1488yeah and don't make it other people's problem or put them at risk like this racist criminal pos

[@newphon3-v3s]

Cap

[@clicheguevara5282]

@@newphon3-v3sSaying “cap” here doesn’t even make sense. 😂

[@Cellophanesleep]

It’s like he was saying he needs a different brain or different programming to really appreciate that kind of beauty. When your perspective is so bleak, you can’t really let beauty seep into your bones.

[@Logan-e5u]

6 years ago today. Some angels have to steal their wings. Rest in peace, Beebo.

[@juneyshu6197]

Yep. 🙏❤ I got here from glp. Subbed to this guy quickly.

[@tinman3586]

Local news had a very tone-deaf piece on the aftermath of this event. Did they focus on what lead Richard Russell to this point and how his family has dealt with it since? No instead it was a piece on the "suffering" a wealthy trust-funder was going through while dealing with cleaning up the crash site on her property. Property she was gifted, didn't live on, and a clean-up she wasn't even having to pay for since it was handled and paid for by Alaska Airlines.

[@Vahlee-A]

Wow, that's fucked.

[@tinman3586]

KZbin won't let link the video, but it's on YT if you search for "King 5" and "Sky King"

[@GunSperg]

Par for the course in “our” society. Truly sickening honestly. The media, politicians, and the rest of the status quo are more focused on finance and their own well being rather than what to them is just a random male of European heritage who gave up on the hamster wheel they foster and created.

[@ProSocialEntertainment]

As some one who lives in wa, the media frequently victim blames and favors the rich.

[@bird6691]

Which is precisely the type of thing which made him do it. Vindicating really.

[@anne.l.w]

one of my friends worked with sky man at the airport and got a tattoo of the model of plane he flew. He told me how nice the guy was and how he was always smiling and making jokes, which made working on some of the rainiest windiest days feel a lot less miserable.

[@highdefinition450]

the sky king?

[@anne.l.w]

@@highdefinition450 in the pnw we just call him sky man

[@XWoodbineX]

That's what's so sad. How much pain can be behind a smile 😢

[@mattsisoler6125]

@@XWoodbineXI know I deal with my own intrusive thoughts. Not so much for what Sky King did, not anymore (I did as recently as 2020), but I can tell you a couple people who I opened up to about the pain I was in were caught off guard because I seemed like my usual self. The truth is, a lot of us who have depression or other issues, we try to make others feel better because we know exactly what it is like to feel like there’s little to no hope, and not only do we don’t want anyone else to feel like that after how much it hurts, we’ve seen the view from the edge of the abyss, and know that sometimes all it takes is someone sitting on that edge with you and listening to you to stop you from taking that final plunge and regretting that choice when you’re halfway down.

[@BuddyCorp]

What's tragic is that after he admitted, he hadn't found the peace he expected in the sky, he does something absolutely outrageous, hoping that it would take him out. Finally, after he admits that he wished it had, he gains the courage to take himself out.

[@moneyfornothing85]

There's nothing courageous about "taking yourself out"

[@connorpidcock8328]

The ability to do something that frightens you. This guy wanted out so badly that he did the unthinkable and fought against our base instinct to survive, it's sad, but he's incredibly courageous

[@emexdizzy]

@@moneyfornothing85 I think we lack a word accurate for the specific type of mental fortitude required to actively and intentionally end one's own life. It's a remarkable emotion for a reason, an unnatural emotion, one that overrides the animal instinct to live as a result of agonizingly inhuman conditions. In lieu of an apt word for this emotion, "courage" must suffice, but it's a courage we should not celebrate, bur rather, we should laud the courage it takes to remain alive with intention in the face of crippling pain and crushing pressure.

[@narfdc2043]

​@@connorpidcock8328 I don't think courage is quite the word to use. I've struggled with some real dark thoughts. At my worst, sitting on the edge of my bed with a knife against my wrist, I wasnt feeling brave. I felt Trapped. I was suffering more than I thought I'd ever have to deal with and more than I thought possible to deal with. I felt isolated, alone, misunderstood, and absolutely worthless. I didn't feel brave. I felt cowardly but I couldn't see another way out. You don't kill yourself because you're brave, most people get to that point the same way I do. You just run out of options that you can see, though you usually haven't actually run out of options. I don't know for sure what made me stay my hand. I think I do, I think it was God, and that's it, only reason I'm living and breathing and now working on my loose screws, but I don't really know. Something up in there told me to just try reaching out for help one more time, and I did. I guess I just don't think suicide should be celebrated in any way. I don't think we should stigmatize it in a bad way either, I wasn't some insane person, but I was no brave hero either. I was just a completely broken man. Most suicidal people are just in a lot of pain and they need help. We can help without even knowing we're helping. Knowing even one person cares can be all it takes sometimes

[@IAmNotFamousAnymore]

​@@moneyfornothing85says you

[@N.I.R.A.T.I.A.S.]

Former ATC weighing in here. Man, the "Sky King" transmissions give me chills even now. It's an ATC's worst nightmare to be in a situation that you know is going to go bad and nothing you do or try will save it but you still do and try everything because that's the job. I feel for the people talking to him while this was going on. Also, Wendigoon, come on man. "Behind the wheel"? Of a plane? Come on man.

[@BargedCddf]

acting like u don’t enjoy hoping behind the wheel of your plane🙄

[@BlueCuddle-b3b]

Right ?

[@swag-jn1lk]

When I first saw the video of Sky King, I couldn't stop thinking about the air traffic controller. He seemed to genuinely empathise with Richard, and at times seemed to get through to him. Can't imagine how it felt when Richard took his own life. The whole situation is so sad. Fly high Sky King.

[@bboi1489]

I think he would've gone down if he didn't know he completely fucked up any chance at a future with this antic. I believe he says as much at some point of their interaction.

[@iguess4512]

The way I looked at it. He was a man who felt so wronged by the world, but instead of lashing out. He took to the sky. That in of itself is kind of admirable. That's why I always give him a salute, he isn't a monster, just a man with a few screws loose. Check on your loved ones, make sure they're doing good. Life is short.

[@SerechII]

Instead of lashing out he ruined his family's life and caused millions of property damage, people really like to romanticize and put this guy on some sort of pedestal, he was just a sad guy that offed himself in a way that caused a lot of damage to a lot of people, he really doesn't deserve any respect imo

[@K0sm1cKid]

​@SerechII fair 100%, but that barrel roll was also sick as hell

[@naenae2350]

@@SerechII people who are praising him means that the society has failed us, he doesnt deserve respect, maybe, but he was not in the fault

[@siggysaurdough6235]

​@@SerechII🤓

[@valentine.58]

only a cishet white guy would get this kind of forgiveness and praise for something like this lmfao

[@suparockr]

I'm reminded of a quote/meme that goes something like "You were raised to live in a world that no longer exists". It's hard to not see Sky King as one of the people to fall between the cracks of the new world and decided to leave it on his own terms.

[@robertcambareri1028]

Well said.

[@Im0nJupiter]

This touches on how I thought of it. This world doesn't work for us, it's hard to do anything meaningful or ethical and get somewhere. I find my peace in resistance and altruism, but I think that sometimes people get tired and just want to leave. He did so on his own terms, doing it his way. He's like chuckling into the void, at the end of *his* world. I can appreciate that, but clearly when reality set it, he realized that even his death isn't what it was cracked up to be.

[@afaithfulmaniac9403]

This is not the world that God prepared for us.

[@Ch-4-lie]

The world you were born in no longer exists

[@Gnomes4u]

Time is aways moving gotta try to help form the times or they'll form you

[@bakedbeans9404]

6yrs ago today. His story makes me cry, every time.

[@philipmcniel4908]

Beebo was a personal friend of mine during his time in Oregon, and I always had a lot of respect for him. When this happened, it just felt so different from the way I remembered him just a few years before, but I also could hear flashes of the personality I remembered in a way. As an avid flight simmer, I was doing a sim flight from Portland up to Orcas Island a few years after this happened, not even thinking about what happened with him (I mean, it legit wasn't even on my mind when I took off), but then when I got to the part where I was sim-flying up the coast of Puget Sound I looked around and saw the mountains he talked about, and it hit me... Granted, I was only seeing the FSX representation of the mountains rather than the real-life ones, but that still hit me pretty hard. It's true what they say, that you never know when grief will hit you or what will bring it up in your mind.

[@lizzyrank5405]

I hope you are doing ok and not letting the media dictate who he really was. I of course never knew of him let alone met him, but I know that the media and internet can be really tone deaf.💜

[@ChristineRivas-we5be]

Many thanks for sharing your thoughts and insight. There's a lot of surrealism to explore, but we are going to have to understand. When tragic and euphoric events happen in this oddly exciting way, the meaning that he felt is inevitably corrupted by our own inner impressions. The reason why is obscure and he cannot tell. I could understand the core of frustration and seeking of meaning for a young man facing his failures in a fight. But its a false assumption, an embrace of or rejection? Both? Banality of life, toxic failure... to someone rejecting the constraints, because they crave something that may not be real, and knowing that you will never avoid the consequences. Do you think he was planning on doing this? It seems so impulsive and yet so long considered, God has him and all of the high flyers, peaceful in his hand, and I hope you can find some of the healing that he could not. Bless you!

[@Sajid_A829]

huh

[@pulka5112]

As a plane enthusiast, I am glad you mentioned that the chasing jets were McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagles

[@mxjaz82]

Went looking for this comment:)

[@watercup5138]

Ooooo I didn't know that, man I love the f 15

[@Lex-sc6jo]

@@jimbothegymbro7086actually it’s the other way around, the soviets made the mig25 and the Americans shit themselves so they made the F15 only to realise the mig25 wasn’t all that

[@KeyboardOperatorPride]

Fun fact, the F-15A was the first and only fighter to shoot down a satellite in the 80s Another fun fact is that the F-15 has a air to air K/D ratio of 104-0. ... and another fun fact, an F-15E Strike Eagle shot down a helicopter with a guided bomb in the early 90s

[@CatskillProduction]

I live near PDX and can always hear Eagle 1&2 take off for training but on this day they were a bit more aggressive and shook my house. Made insane time.

[@AngelofGrace96]

I've felt suicial before, it's an awful feeling. Thank you for treating this with such kindness and empathy.

[@brunobucciaratiswife]

God is with you, He will never leave you. You can do this.

[@teewhy2747]

@@brunobucciaratiswifesticky fingaz

[@teewhy2747]

Wendigoon is a nice guy

[@Tw0Dots]

I hope you never have to feel that feeling ever again, in your life.

[@Disavowedagent47]

@angelofgrace96 I know thaty feeling too. Thank you for still being here, you beat the darkness one more day. GOD is with you,just call out to him, seek to be closer to him. you made it this far. you have the strength to keep going. brighter days are ahead.

[@TokkiTheSniper]

this low key makes me teary eyed, and a heavy feeling well in my throat. He was just a broken man who needed help. he's one of the honorary boys for all time.

[@rexana_rexana]

As someone who suffers from depression, this story really hits at my heartstrings because I know how it feels to not want other people to know what you're feeling, not wanting to be a burden to them. It's horrible the things your own brain can say to you, and it never goes away, you just either learn to live with it or it becomes too much. I feel for Richard, broken with a few screws loose. We just do the best we can. Fly high Sky King

[@GypsyDanger24]

Im in the same boat and share how you’re feeling. Im happy you’re here and you’re doing great

[@manaash4316]

I'm proud of you ❤

[@randomenvelope]

You are your brain. I feel bad for my subconscious thats just trying to keep me alive

[@3rdHalf1]

Wueeeeeeeee! “I’m just a teenage dirtbag, babby” 🎵 😂

[@PlutosAsleep]

in the same boat, or i guess airplane 😅

[@Kazrel]

I remember my dad seeing this on the news and in his classic habit of out of pocket jokes, remarked that this would be an amazing advertisement for the plane's capabilities. Regardless of whether you hated him or not Richard was one cool mofo.

[@MichaelBeale]

The aircraft wasn't certified as capable of doing that maneuver...not until Sky King just went and looped 'er anyways.

[@JK-gm6kk]

If you hate this man, fuckin do better

[@SerechII]

He was a sad chump undeserving of any respect or praise, ruining a family and causing millions in property damage is not "cool"

[@rainman8534]

@@SerechIIProjection, thy name is SerechII

[@Just1nY.]

@@SerechII​​⁠​⁠​⁠ imagine crying in every comment about the “loser” who’s still substantially more well liked than you 😂. You act like he ruined _your_ family, Crimson Chin. You seem bitter. What, envious that when you eventually reevaluate your life & off yourself, that nobody would even bat an eye…? That you have zero legacy to be remembered or written down? Stay mad all you want, wont stop all that from being true. Ppl’re still gonna see Sky King as Sky King.. while youre but a speck of lanky dust. Lmfao. Get a job or smtn instead of commenting. Good day.

[@mx.benzedrine]

I remember when this happened. I live close to Seattle and it was breaking news over the radio of the restaurant my parents and I were at. I don't remember feeling scared, but looking back, I'm kicking myself for not thinking that critically about it. Rest easy, Richard. I hope you're at peace now.

[@dean1543]

I lived near where he crashed. It was a wild experience.

[@BasedRanger]

I was living in Portland at the time that this happened, and recall hearing about it on the local news just shortly after it had all concluded. The exact sound of his voice on those radio transmissions is something that has since haunted me.. The strangely optimistic tone of a man who has resigned from this life, as if he expects whatever is on the other side to be more peaceful. Personally, I believe that to be a culturally insidious and false idea, one that has allowed events like this to shatter countless lives; and perhaps, the eternal existences of innumerable souls. It's an idea that seemingly few people, even those of faith, ever truly reckon with.

[@charliekelly735]

​@@dean1543What happened after he crashed?

[@charliekelly735]

Why do you kick yourself over "not thinking critically about it"? What is there to think critically about?

[@HunterSentinel]

Rest easy sky king!

[@bingzirkelbach]

As a fellow Key West, Florida-born male currently dating a woman named Hannah and not too happy with how things are going, this story hits a little too close for comfort... Anyway, I do hope he found peace in the end and I truly wish his family and friends the best too. As Wendigoon mentioned, taking one's life is never the answer to finding clarity. My personal recommendation is to find enjoyable hobbies no matter how silly they may seem to others and basically try to stay busy like what you're doing now, watching a video like this for example. Find satisfaction in life even when things go wrong, they are the most powerful moments for learning something new, and like the song "Pennies from Heaven" (by another fellow named Bing), we can only truly cherish when things are going well by having gone through "stormy weather". Whenever I ask elders what they find to be the true purpose of life or what a young person should pursue to find happiness, they almost all say; Do what you love to do and surround yourself with good people! And with that advice, I wish you all the best. Good luck out there fellas!

[@spoopycatstudio]

I live within 2 miles of where he crashed. I heard the boom when the plane hit the island and smelled the trees burning, and then came the sirens. It was surreal, and I remember thinking that something so tragic and important as someone losing their life shouldn't just smell like a simple campfire. It seemed wrong somehow. At first I didn't realize what was happening, because fighter jets around here are not that unusual, and I assumed it was a practice run. My child was outside playing with friends. I am forever grateful that he didn't hit one of the neighborhoods around here, but I am so very sad for him. ETA: even though I was in one of the populated areas he put at risk, I bear him no ill will. I just wish he could have found what he needed to be okay.

[@FlameDarkfire]

Hey you know, I think he would like his final moment to be compared to something cozy and familial, like a campfire. Seemed like a stand up guy that felt like he was going nowhere.

[@DieAlteistwiederda]

You are a good person for thinking about him like this. He really didn't seem like someone out to kill anyone besides himself and I'm glad he at least succeeded in not hurting anyone. I'm also sad he like so many others didn't get the help he needed before he got to this point. I've seen this happen before and it's never getting any easier.

[@criticaljacques2237]

​@@DieAlteistwiederda Richard was literally the anti-Andreas Lubvitz

[@voidmatic]

the part about the campfire being too simple for something as important as losing a life - that really hit home for me I think. I'm so grateful you and your family are okay. as someone that has struggled mentally as well as lost a friend to suicide, his story definitely leaves many complicated emotions in its wake. I hope that out of everything, the story keeps giving folks a chance to reflect and talk about their struggles instead of bottling them up.

[@supersaiyanamg]

You look like a liberal

[@stored6380]

The phrase you said, “I get it” says it all. With all the context every man in working class or lower can relate. “I get it” says all that needs to be said. Fly high richard

[@dickyboi4956]

The "damn it andrew peoples lives are at stake" thing sounded like a joke about like the movie trope of the mission control guy stressfully advising the protagonist over the radio

[@ZeSgtSchultz]

Seemed like he made a lot of nervous, goofy jokes. And honestly I probably would have too. That made it so much more real

[@MistaSkilla692]

Yeah for real it always just sounded like sarcasm to me, he's clearly hamming it up for brevity

[@trumpflavourednugget9325]

My thoughts exactly 😂

[@Jimothy-723]

he literaly said he was just joking. he was busting his balls, yanking his chain.

[@kristofvass6449]

I remember this still like it happened yesterday. I live a few miles due south of the airport and can basically see the airport and Seattle skyline from my bedroom window. Will never forget seeing that many airplanes lined up on the taxiway (after they started grounding everyone) and thinking “man something bad must’ve happened…”

[@goleogthais]

Also the quote he was remembering at the end 42:09 is from the Cowboy Bebop dub, before the main character goes to the final fight and says "I'm not going there to die, I'm going to find out if I'm really alive"

[@mohesm1]

See you space cowboy…

[@Genesis_06178]

omg omg yeah I remember !!! ahh I love cowboy bebop one of my favs

[@Genesis_06178]

@@mohesm1 The real folk bluesss

[@l8tr806]

​@@mohesm1 this hurt my soul 😭

[@voidahl1667]

You're gonna carry that weight

[@SkyEcho751]

'Prodigy in high school' usually translates to "He picked it up too quickly and didn't learn to break their limits", which will then mean the 'prodigy' hits the first roadblock in college, and people are usually less supportive in college, cause you are supposed to be an adult.

[@zuttoaragi8349]

And it's all a result of the "no child left behind" nonsense. Some people aren't smart enough to do well in life. Rather than ruin the lives of smart people later on, we need to make the stupid rise up as best they can early on.

[@thegooglegnome8933]

I'm all too familiar 😅 it really sucks

[@anna9072]

Child prodigies generally end up seriously screwed up in one way or another. I just saw a video that said flatly that “gifted” children should be considered “special needs”.

[@snrkybrd]

as a local I got to say, it's also because Wasilla High's football team still sucks. always has

[@snrkybrd]

​​@@anna9072FACTS half of the "gifted" kids are just good at keeping up with homework/tests and the other half have needs that are absolutely not being met in the program and should at LEAST have IEPs

[@ben10pop]

22:37 he's quoting a film called 'Chronicle', coincidentally a film where the main character - Andrew, spends his last moments flying in the Seattle area, albeit without the plane. Great film

[@justinwatson1510]

Wouldn't flying without a plane just be falling?

[@onnimannimaki8846]

@@justinwatson1510 No, if you know what the film is about.

[@Myne1001]

@@justinwatson1510 Chronicle is about people with super powers

[@brotherkhrayn3525]

Oh yeah, I think I saw that movie!

[@AuriofTheHooligans]

23:37*

[@darthindomitus]

I was there that day. I was visiting my sister in Seattle, and we saw the plane, and watched it go down. We didn't know what was going on, but that night, in my hotel, we saw the story on the news. RIP Richard "Sky King" Russell

[@Messup7654]

Lies I knew what your doing on that day I watched you don’t make up a fake story just for 13 likes chloe

[@CaptainFAL]

I rocked a "puget sound flight club - fly it like you stole it" patch on my helmet when I flew for the Army. RIP Skyking

[@FiglioBastardo]

Noice! o7

[@flygirl6048]

amazing

[@agnostic1247]

If it was prior to 2018, that was for Colton Harris. What the hell is going on in the NW? I lived in the area when Colton, the Barefoot Bandit, was active. He was another folk hero. Suppose he’s still in jail.

[@CaptainFAL]

@agnostic1247 it was post-2018. The patch has a dash 8 on it as a direct reference to Richard Russell.

[@supernova00500]

I know somebody who has that same patch

[@Dragonsketcher1996]

I work at SeaTac today with Alaska Airlines in a similar position to Richard as part of the ground crew, though I joined a couple years later. He’s still talked about in the company, but typically with a great deal of reverence and sympathy. People really seem to miss him. Rest in Peace dude.

[@Ken-fh4jc]

Please don’t pull a Sky King 2: Electric Boogaloo

[@sixmillionisimpossible]

​@@Ken-fh4jc please DO more like, wagie cagie.

[@zzevonplant]

That's actually really awesome. (I hope the positive attitude toward him doesn't inspire anyone else to do something similar, but other than that, it's pretty sweet.)

[@thatoneguy9122]

I hope the higher ups took the "minimum wage greasy wheels" comment seriously

[@S4vagecatofficial]

​@Ken-fh4jc that sounds like a city morgue album

[@barrag3463]

I remember seeing Skyking over Lake Washington on my way home after classes, driving south on I-405. I had absolutely no idea what was going on, and just thought it was weird a bombardier was flying that low over the lake, but just assumed he'd taken off from Renton Field or something since I somehow didn't see any of his stunts. Boy was I surprised when I saw the news later.

[@flygirl6048]

As a pilot, this story is so polarizing in the aviation community. Many praise him, many go sober due to the medical nature of the accident (although he wasnt a pilot, mental health is a hot topic and isnt handled well in US aviation), many get upset at the glorification of him due to the sheer danger and stupidity of it. It's a complicated issue, but for me, knowing someone so despondent got to taste the freedom of flight in the most raw way possible, makes me think he had peace. I don't think it was a victimless crime, but nobody directly got hurt, so I can't be too mad. Also, that barrel roll rocked.

[@kell7195]

For an untrained baggage handler to take a Dash 8 into the air and barrel role it is incredible, the Guys a Hero, he knew he would never get a chance at being a pilot because all the slots were reserved for Women and Diversity hires not those with the most merit, he went out with a bang with a huge middle finger at this ridiculous corrupt Anti-White system.

[@ophelia8019]

Yeah. I think it's better than other ways to go that drag strangers into it (like jumping in front of trains, etc) there's at least a positive element here, where someone who without a doubt was feeling very miserable for a while, got to feel joy before the end. Like, yeah, maybe not something to glorify but judging it as a one time thing, it's more of just a "good for him" deal for me.

[@LoganB113]

I was a fan of his story and bringing more awareness to mental health until I found out he had a wife and kids he left behind. Suicide is always a selfish, cowardly act, but when you willingly abandon kids it's adds alot more weight. The barrel roll was pretty tight tho.

[@thefisherking78]

Having once nearly been a USAF aviator but disqualified for mild, totally treatable, and basically remitted depression, and having subsequently served for 24 years in other capacities (including 13 years active) I can confirm mental health is basically stigmatized to the point of complete denial in the military and in aviation. In a culture where even admitting to _any_ sort of mental issue is a kiss of death, is it any surprise that people hide it and deal with it ineffectively? We can do better

[@jeroenthelord]

​@@LoganB113anyone that claims suicide is selfish and cowardly has not been in a situation where it felt like the only option

[@kristanricketts5028]

The amount of warmth he spoke with while doing this was beautiful. The "i get it"... ive failed at attempt and now only here bc i know i dont have the right to take my kid's momma away from him... that sentence gave a comfort feel. People never say "i get it" when discussing someone leaving the game by their own choice. Thank you. And anyone else struggling to keep your breathing subscription active, i hope you find peace and can stay 💚

[@moonrose333]

Glad you’re still here ❤

[@howtocleanyourhyrdocapable7443]

“breathing subscription active” is a nice way to put it lol

[@dangerxbadger2300]

I hope you continue to find the ways and reasons to stay, too. I definitely get it as well. Firsthand. ❤ glad you're still here.

[@Tw0Dots]

Im so SO glad you’re here!! …but this touched me real deeply. I see you. Especially the “have no right to take a kids mama away from him.” Bc I am on the other side of the coin. I _am_ the kid. I was diagnosed with a few anxiety disorders & depressive. I have been stuck in that dark space for so long that its taking my childhood & young peak years away from me. I’ve thought ab it so many times. & even had dad’s gun ready before. But then my mama called while at her (very short, that she wasted just for me)break on 24-hour shift work, constantly busy as a 911 dispatcher, & said she was stressed & just wanted to hear her babies voice. I told her nothing ab the gun. After we hung up, I cried myself to sleep. I could not do it, but I wanted to. & im such bad child to her for it. & your comment is making me cry…bc Ik my death would absolutely break my mom. I just CANT do that to her, she is the reason I’m still alive. I feel i have nothing else to live for. & im just so scared bc if anything happens to her, idk what I would do. I would be just destroyed & would never be okay again. But, it still got worse anyway. Im not even sure I will be here in 2025 regardless. Im not strong & brave enough like you. I understand Sky King so much too…I just wanna be free, man. Its different when youre a parent tho. Cuz you _are_ so strong, & awesome & stuff & like self-less, putting your kid first & not doing that to him. He needs you more than you know. Always think of your kid whenever you get to that point. Sry, I just wanted to thank you for helping me see a new perspective & stuff. Sometimes I just need to read comments like these to reevaluate things. You are a great mom, no matter how hard you are on yourself. I get it.

[@Man_Emperor_of_Mankind]

Yeah, it's such a simple statement, but it's also probably the most supportive and meaningful thing that anyone in that position can hear. I guess it's just one of those things where, if you know, you know...

[@Donovarkhallum]

Man the fighter pilot guys just going "badass" too his barrel roll had me in such a series of emotions. Badass barrel roll dude. Fly high sky king.

[@17nero44]

I can relate to the idea of expecting a moment of clarity and not finding it, I’ve felt lost and trapped for a long time and I feel like I’m still waiting for that moment.

[@jakobreagan2592]

Did a report on him for college, absolute tragedy, this man didn’t want to hurt anyone he just wanted to experience joy in his final moments

[@reecev2087]

Was it joy he wanted to feel or an intense thrill and feeling of control that modern life wouldn’t offer him? Either way, deeply relatable.

[@greatveemon2]

I wonder how this story would end if there are some or a lot of people that he killed on that crash? Will internet still glorify him?

[@wolfiemuse]

@@greatveemon2Yes, the internet will still glorify a murderer and it’s really sad.

[@JustWhyFFS]

I remember hearing that he would casually ask a pilot friend of his, "what's this do, what's that do." The friend would tell him, thinking he was just interested in aviation. Not realizing he was giving the guy the info he needed to get the plane off the ground. Did that come up in your report? I didn't hear it in Wendi's re-telling so I'm curious if it's true.

[@jakobreagan2592]

@@greatveemon2 I don’t believe so, but then again the internet glorifies the Unabomber so I wouldn’t be surprised. The point is he never meant any harm to anyone and luckily no one else was injured. It truly is a tragedy though

[@Zackaria_sMax]

6:58 76 passangers ≈ 90 people (76 passengers + 14 crew [pilots,attendants,snake wrangler,etc])

[@lorenzooliveira1157]

Thanks for the clarification 👍

[@SerechII]

how could wendigoon forget the 11 snake wranglers needed to start a plane?

[@thegoldenatlas753]

Could also be seat configuration.

[@Idntgt]

@@SerechII those mf snakes...

[@Hornet135]

2 pilots and 2 flight attendants. It can be configured for more seats if they wanna pack people like sardines.

[@johnwbatey]

This is why your channel has become so popular. You have a fair take, say it honestly (while avoiding certain KZbin keywords), and can still point out the humorous absurdness while still understanding the person was a human being.

[@hyperbaroque]

He's memeing a meme that memelords love because it lets them feel less like basement dwellers and more like ordinary people. Read the freaking room. The people here praising "sky king" are all complaining about severe depression and suicidal ideation. Think about what you're supporting, here. Literally committing suicide, theft, property damage, etc. Take a damn step back from the meme and think about the reality of what you're promoting in reality. Think about the lives you're affecting. This kind of horrible crap only appeals to severely deranged people.

[@Critter_Farm]

Wendigoon is genuinely the only person I can watch on KZbin who covers this stuff; everyone else sensationalizes and demonizes the subjects and/or situations, while Wendigoon approaches everything with an almost clinical level of respect, while acknowledging the weight of the circumstance(s). I haven't found other channels that go over this specific variety of content with near as much care as he does.

[@afaithfulmaniac9403]

Agreed!!

[@haileyjohnson6534]

fr

[@FelipeHardt]

@@Critter_Farm exactly!

[@voidmatic]

as someone who has dealt with my own anxiety, depression, and struggles for many years, the part where he says "I'm sorry about this, I hope it doesn't ruin your day" really hit home with me. That sense of wanting to do one last thing and get out, but also not wanting to inconvenience anyone with your departure - it's such a difficult feeling. and as someone who has lost a friend to suicide, that questioning and wishing things had gone differently feeling never goes away either. I think the fact that he spoke on not finding clarity he was looking for is vital. he needed to share that to remind us that our emotions (especially those connected to depression) are far more complex than black and white. all that said, one thing is certain - many folks were able to hear his story and reflect on their own struggles and talk about them, instead of keeping it bottled up until it worsens, and that's incredibly impactful and important.

[@ProtoX37]

I lived right next to Ketron while this happened, and my dad was in line for the ferry as Richard did his barrel roll and crash. I remember him calling me frantically about a plane flying dangerously low with jets tailing and him yelling that the plane cleared the ground by just a few feet. Still one of the craziest things to happen in the area, and the people on Ketron were pretty upset that the feds were poking around for so long to collect all the plane pieces. The people on Ketron have cameras pointed all along the beach and don't like strangers on the island so they really hated having the feds around.

[@koolaidman4869]

Tbf I don't think ANYBODY likes having feds around.

[@kingofcards9]

I don't blame them.

[@A_Wild_Dyzzy]

There’s a lot of us that have had those thoughts without acting on them. I think that’s part of why Richard’s story resonates with us. It honestly breaks my heart. I wish the best for his family and friends, and hope Richard is at peace.

[@8bitorgy]

Pieces

[@Grimbop]

"Nothing was worthy enough for the paper." really gets me. So many emotions and feelings and thoughts going through his head but like many how many men feel, you just decide to keep it to yourself because you feel its not worth talking about or that no one is really going to care anyways. There something sad about the fact he still felt like he needed to keep things light hearted and silly and avoid talking about himself in a serious way even as his final hour was approaching.

[@AnuevoX]

Richard without realizing it, became a symbol of the Every Man. We work and provide for those we care, even when we are fighting demons everyday. I'm confident that Richard could have landed that plane. It's just that, he decided he was done fighting. And that's okay, May God rest Richard's Soul. Long Live the Sky King!

[@moonsigil]

your inability to talk about your feelings is a skill issue

[@AnuevoX]

@@moonsigil and unfortunately some people's experiences cause them to avoid talking about feelings. It's common in Hispanic cultures. There are many factors at play

[@Craglicious]

​@@moonsigilWhat a disgusting thing to say, grow up

[@moonsigil]

@@Craglicious idec. turn that 1.5% into a 100%

[@kayknouse3300]

Goon, You are the best. So respectful to not condemn him while also mentioning that he could have hurt others with his reckless behavior. You hold him accountable while at the same time honoring his memory.

[@leo-ls3lp]

This is a core memory. I was working in an upper level food stand at a mariners game. I was facing south toward the airport, and I remember the constant flow of planes just stopped. I overheard a customer say that someone hijacked a plane, so I checked my phone and sure enough. It was all we talked about the rest of the night.

[@big_sea]

yes

[@inculta7788]

Two years ago I tried to attempt, I ended up calling 911 after I tried and was sent to the hospital. I stayed in the ER for about a week before being moved to a psychiatric facility. During that week the only thing to get me to sleep and relax was your iceberg videos. To see you so empathetic and understanding about the topic really means a lot to me. Thank you.

[@Squishypalms]

❤❤❤

[@J3Wbacca]

Hope your doing good

[@saltiestsiren]

I had a strange sense of calm wash over me the second I got my bed on my ward, each and every time I've been. It's weird but getting myself out of the environment I was in, even though the environment wasn't the problem, helped get me out of my head a bit. And it took off any pressure to go to school or work the next day, which helped in the short run.

[@inculta7788]

@@J3Wbacca it’s been a long time since then and I’ve improved a lot, I’m very happy that I called when I did.

[@inculta7788]

@@saltiestsiren that was definitely my reaction too! The reset it did to my mind gave me a lot of time to think and relax and get caught back up with my hygiene routine

[@AlastorsGuns]

I think Sky King's story resonates with a lot of people because most people hate what they do and wish that they could do and be more than what they are. And in his last moments, Sky King became more than just an airport employee.

[@nicolasfernando890]

Yeah, he became a criminal, a bad husband and a weak pathetic man

[@theoverseer393]

There’s also this defeatist attitude about the future. I wouldn’t end myself because I believe I always have potential. But some people don’t think that way and it’s very tragic because everybody has potential to do something meaningful without ending their own life

[@oki__]

Honestly surprised people aren’t memeing him for being a cringe lord or whatever else they could pick on about it. The story seems pretty unremarkable to be - I mean if we’re all fangirling over this guy we may as well fangirl over the guy who had his meth lab van blow up in a hospital car park a few years ago.

[@lincan4108]

​​@@oki__well what makes him relatable is that he seems like normal Joe like the rest of us, having mundane job that we hate, not some drugs dealer or meth cook like you said, someone who at some point (at younger age) reaching their highest level and actually thought that they would amount to something then suddenly reality hit and everything went to shit. Again we don't know his life or what he went through, I don't condone his actions but I understand why so many people (especially men) relate and idolize him

[@Z1Ish]

This is a really sad story. As someone that’s struggled with similar before, I’m glad that he at least got to go out doing something he really wanted to do.

[@alexcoffey8804]

"This is probably a lot of jail time. At least, I hope it is." What an absolutely BASED statement.

[@User-gd5un]

What is “based” about that?

[@elonjaric4948]

completely missed the point

[@ChaoticGoodPeasant23]

@@User-gd5unThat if you're going to do something illegal, do something that is the MOST illegal, or not at all. And when it comes to the punishment, you either face it head on, or you take punishment on yourself.

[@DamePiglet]

He was so young. I wish he had held on awhile longer... he would've realized that it DOES get better. 😢

[@caittails]

@@DamePiglet I mean, not always.

[@brandonfitzgerald8705]

hearing "i wasnt planning on landing it" as an air traffic controller would make me feel an extreme sense of dread lol

[@jacobpeacy4003]

I'm not sure what's more sad; Richard's story, or the fact that without asking a single question, every one understood.

[@Svientz]

Fo real

[@Triforcebro]

Not everyone.

[@TheCanineContrarian]

Cuz we wuz kangs!

[@Ark_bleu]

This shit right here. Damn.

[@TheDomitrix]

The casual conversation while footage of the plane flying around is sending me 💀💀💀 This feels so surreal lol like it should be in a game not real life.

[@bobbysalkeld2634]

It's sad when he says, "I think im going to put it nose down and call it a night." But you can hear the professionals in awe of his maneuver when he barrel rolls that aircraft.

[@threemar3]

A lot of us are just a bad day away from something similar. That's what makes him so lovable. He wasn't sticking it to anyone, he didn't even want to inconvenience anyone, he just wanted to be free, like all of us do. Unfortunately, he failed to find that freedom and he hurt people, just like most of us do.

[@DEFxRECON]

The jonkler

[@erikacoffey4872]

When he said “maybe we’ll blame this on minimum wage, try to get some gears greased” as if he’s hoping some value can be made of his death? It’s pretty crushing.

[@butterstamp3767]

speak for yourself

[@SerechII]

Yeah no, don't generalize being screwed in the head, if you are a bad day away from this seek help immediately, if you feel like offing yourself is "freedom" seek help, it's pretty cynical but I believe you are just being edgy for the sake of it but that's the same reason I find this guy to be completely undeserving of any amount of respect, much less celebrating or putting on a pedestal, he was just a sad guy that decided to ruin his family's life and cause a whole bunch of property damage, if you see yourself in this guy, get help

[@Kingzagaming]

​@SerechII true but the barrel roll was kinda cool tho

[@andyrod112]

Only wendigoon can make an honestly depressing story one that can be enjoyable to listen to while being extremely respectful

[@amyshaw893]

"so without further ado-" *proceeds to further ado with an ad*

[@TheeAxo]

wendigoon should make an internet’s favorite series

[@WillBishnow]

Ooh, an internet favorite iceberg?

[@rylanpowers1581]

I agree

[@TheeAxo]

let him finish the cryptid one first

[@WillBishnow]

Obligatory “wHeRe cRyPtId IcebErG” comment.

[@coltonspicks6709]

He’s obviously doing that dog

[@rump438]

You didn't mention the craziest thing about that barrel roll. After this happened I'm pretty sure I remember De haviland coming out and saying that roll should not have been possible in that model of aircraft.

[@andreahighsides7756]

It’s not impossible, just about any aircraft can do a barrel roll with enough altitude.

[@rump438]

@@andreahighsides7756 but he wasn't nearly high enough nor was that aircraft rated to do that due to structural stress tests, like it should have caved in on itself or the wings should have collapsed or something.

[@syntheticat-3]

Thank you for respecting his family by keeping them out of this account as much as it made sense to. And thanks for underscoring the fact that, on the other side of the decision he couldn't take back, he realized it truly wasn't what he needed or what he hoped it would be. I think maybe Russell's words can help people who might have less reservations about making an attempt otherwise.

[@matthewjungmann12]

I think there's wisdom in that. Richard had the most glorious suicide fathomable, and even he came to regret it before it happened. I think that's something for everyone to remember, especially the people he left behind.

[@braedenhunter6501]

Hindsight being what it is, with everyone surviving, I can’t help but admire that as someone who clearly struggled with how tough life is… He went for it. He went out in a blaze of glory after pulling off an absolutely incredible barrel roll. Rest in peace. No matter how hard life gets. Reach out. To anyone. Find anyone who will listen. Know that you are loved by someone… I’ve been through it and I struggle with it still on occasion and I’ve never found any regret in not taking my own life. For all the pain, there are so many memories I’ve made in my choice to go forward that I hope I’ll never forget. Peace and love to all. ❤

[@king.jarjerk4201]

This story always brings me to tears... The idea that there's so many people that can just understand why, without being told why makes my heart ache... I hope he's found peace, wherever that may be, and however that may look.

[@newphon3-v3s]

Cap

[@devindouzstuff_8250]

I hate the comment saying cap that's all i know to say

[@travisworts6249]

It makes me sad to say I understand why he did it. I just can't hurt the people around me.

[@RobertMorgan]

Yes, it's crazy to hear a story this crazy, but think "Yeah, I get that". Most men live lives of quiet desperation.

[@rattleson]

When you said, “he wanted to see how big the sky was.” I usually see myself as a happy man, who gets through life happily. Just hit me, man. I want to see what’s out there. Not like Richard. But travel. See the sights. Life is short, but I want to live to the fullest. Thank you Isaiah.

[@sgttater2313]

Do it bro. I am. Life is really short, and you might not make it till retirement. Why wait?

[@Xsiondu]

Go! Go now! That thing you think is so important you can't leave and go now. It's not important, you can get another one. If you can't get another one take it with you. But GO

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

Sometimes I would randomly remember this guy and hearing his voice over comms sounding completely clear minded on his decisions but his actions hurt his family beyond measure. Although nobody else was hurt his family were ripped apart and they suffering more. Never bottle up your emotions and express how messed up your thoughts are to someone you love. That isn't a weakness but a strength. God bless his family.

[@RedheadReff]

Except in America stating you have ideations allows them to institutionalize you without consent. Its why people don’t say anything the second time they are having ideations. Source: my time in a loony bin.

[@Idntgt]

@@RedheadReff You should be able to trust your family with this info & that they have best intentions for you. Sorry it happened to you like that.

[@maducrutz9384]

​@@Idntgtsome peoples "family" are the worst people in their lives

[@colbyboucher6391]

The family is selfish for wanting someone who wants to go to stay.

[@fort809]

@@maducrutz9384your family can have completely pure intentions and still 302 you for being emotionally vulnerable. Source: multiple of my friends have permanent trauma from mental health institutions

[@MundMoriginal]

I love how your style is so unique, yet, you review an extreme diverse set of topics.

[@catherineflores9048]

I love that despite the negatives of the story, his legacy as sky king is held up by the coolest barrel roll maybe in history. Fly high Sky King

[@Rizzbulla]

Only barrel role you'll ever seen in a commercial airplane, so it is the greatest period.

[@Voodoo_One]

@@Rizzbulla Never heard about the Boeing 707 barrel roll? A test pilot flew one back in the day as demonstration.

[@felipedantaspocheti]

​@@Rizzbulla pilot here in Brazil did one on a fully packed commercial plane (737) back in 88. He was trying to shake off a hijacker. See VASP 375 for more detail

[@Rizzbulla]

@@Voodoo_One Yeah, from a PILOT.

[@26th_Primarch]

​@@Rizzbullaslight correction: The only barrel roll from a commercial aircraft that the manufacturer said should have been impossible to do.

[@kuramamastah5270]

22:18 "i played videogames before so i know what i'm doing" that's such a badass movie quote, one better than the line "step aside i played mario kart" when in a random movie from the 2010's a kid manages to correctly drive a van

[@leeshapon]

this story is so tragic but that part about sonic the hedgehog got me, i’m glad you included it. back in 2018 ironic memes were kinda the Thing like “i have crippling depression” and shit, people would use irony as a way to vent their real feelings without making themselves feel vulnerable. that’s my take anyway. also thanks for just humanizing richard in this video, i’ve watched other sky king videos that treat it as a spectacle and “wow what a wacky weird event” while kind of ignoring his humanity. he really was just a regular guy like the rest of us and that ATC call breaks my heart every time. fly high sky king ✈️

[@suraiV3]

double lariat moment

[@koan__23]

I do believe he had a sense of clarity mid flight. Because he was commited to doing the loop (and not finishing it). I've read about this in Robert Kyosakis' book ("Rich Dad, Poor Dad"). Where he mentions that he served as a military pilot in Vietnam. On one mission, he was hit, and the prospect of crashing was very real. He recalls being taken by a sudden sense of serenity and equanimity in the midst of it all. In fact, he reflected tuat in that limbo, he basically had to choose whether to just let go, or try to survive. But, either way, he felt at peace with destiny. Alan Watts had mentioned something similar in one of his lectures. Basically, speaking of a Kamikazi pilot that survived. Who would go on to recall feeling "Like a God" once he was dead set of crashing. There's likely a biochemical explanation that adds to this. But it seems that when people are faced with the prospect of unavoidable end, they suddenly feel a tremendous sense of relief.

[@enthiegavoir5955]

This was a flurry of emotions, I laughed when the clips of him just flying around while the call was playing, I felt bad when he started regretting it, I cheered when he did the barrel roll, and I felt sad and wished he would have landed relatively safely when it was over. It's also pretty dark as a guy who used to feel like this that the reaction of the public wasn't "why did he choose to do it?" It's "whoo! He went out like a gigacad!"

[@kathrineici9811]

Well when his other option was getting a game over without doing anything, yes going for a fly and doing a barrel roll and not hurting anyone with the plane is going out like a gigachad

[@watermelonjesus1547]

@@kathrineici9811I think they are saying something more along the lines of “it’s sad that we focused on how cool his suicide was and not what led a man to commit suicide” they glorified his death as opposed to talking about the issues that led to it. He did go out like a gigachad, but the more important thing is that he did NOT have to “go out,” at all.

[@bigdiggle5036]

no you didnt

[@Persun_McPersonson]

@@bigdiggle5036 No one ever feels emotionally invested in anything.

[@nyxian4832]

​@@bigdiggle5036 hit the gym tiny.

[@Battlemage15]

42:19 - That meme you are thinking of is that shot of the plane coming out of the barrel roll in the sunset and it is a Spike Spiegel quote from the last episode of Cowboy Bebop, right before he goes to confront his past - "I'm not going there to die. I'm going to find out if I'm really alive."

[@pizzaluvah198]

I work across the taxiway from where he took off. Every once in a while when I have to grab some equipment from that corner area, I’m reminded of the Skyking. I’m so glad you’re covering this sir. Thank you 🙏

[@xjaxxiex]

First “Wendigoon” video I have ever seen and I’m very glad I clicked!!! This video was put together and executed perfectly. Kudos🎉 This was so factual, yet insightful and empathetic, yet not inflammatory. 🔥🎉

[@danieldykstra3079]

A couple of little things, it's fairly common for airlines to try to find ways to put more seats on their planes (more seats= more passengers= more money) particularly on planes used for short hops you can eliminate the galley and shrink or eliminate first class. I've heard people joke if it weren't for the FAA they would lash passengers to the wings. Also a lot of non-pilot aviation workers will seek out some level of flight training, usually just because they think it's cool. It is.

[@onedumbgamer9672]

Ive not reached the level of most like Richard, but i do understand what he wanted. One grand, sweeping moment where finally the world has its eyes on you and you want there to be some cinematic poetic resolution to life... and it doesnt happen. You're still just you, only now youve done something that cant be undone. Rest in Peace, Richard.

[@SerechII]

Yeah, a total chump

[@wierdersnow116]

Could've just said nothing

[@gamer0mega]

I remember following this story as it broke. He seemed to be such a kind soul that was going through something and made a bad decision. Such a tragic story

[@bird6691]

Bad decision or going out on his own terms? When your deck of cards is minimum wage and a life that doesn't feel worth living is it a bad decision? If the govt won't help I don't think so.

[@gamer0mega]

@bird6691 As a family man, losing my spouse would be awful and hard to come back from. He was loved by his family, and his kids lost the opportunity to have a dad. It was going out in style on his own terms but left a giant hole in the lives of those who knew him.

[@FaustsKanaal]

Why is it the government that needs to save him? Such dependent thinking. Sure he couldnt rescue himself as is evident, but why do we then need the government to come and make people happy. There is more in society than having everything state run. @@bird6691

[@laars2233]

​@@gamer0mega i think both arguments are correct. He simply made his own choice between the two and decided to go out on his own terms instead of continuing with a life he thinks isnt worth living.

[@mosisusasu9205]

Perhaps the most tragic thing is the fact that pretty much everyone can relate to what Richard was going through. Despite having millions of kindred spirits he could've turned to for support, who would've understood his struggle, he believed he was all alone with no way out. Depression twists our minds in such an awful way.

[@selfdee7754]

from personal experience, having people that love you around sometimes helps but a lot of times you can be in a room full of people that love you and still feel like you're alone.

[@26th_Primarch]

Yeah, I can second that...

[@noimizzy]

youre exactly right. ive been there myself

[@supersamhain666]

Too true man I wish we didn’t have to feel this way

[@valentine.58]

usually this has to do with feeling unable to fully share who you are and your true feelings with your loved ones. i cant help any individual here to remedy that since many situations are different but knowing the cause, i find, can be infinitely helpful in getting to the roots and unraveling your problems. im sorry if this wasnt helpful.

[@n_-tw8iq]

love alone isnt enough, the most important is care and acceptance. love is "just" a feeling and its the actions that matter the most and have the best positive effects on people. to love is to care. show and tell people you love that you care about them. learn how to love with your whole heart. learn how to show it. let it grow and let yourself grow along with it. you can change or even save a life be kind, be selfless, be thoughtful, be considerate, be respectful, be patient, learn to view things from someone elses perspective. love is all that matters if your really think about it. not only for people but also for animals, nature, our planet, cosmos and all the littlest things inbetween. passion is nothing but love too. its a driving force yet love is dying. apathy and selfishness prevail which is hard to observe

[@killiite6261]

I love how your format feels more like an attempt to understand and empathize with the subject matter, rather than just showcasing it. I’m subscribing right now, found you from red thread!🔥

[@markkocsicska2590]

That's the best thing about this channel. Other channels would just go trough the events, but Wendigoon takes a long time to really understand all sides and give his best to make us understand the case beyond what made the news.

[@snibbubzik3566]

Wendi is the best. Welcome ❤

[@transformerstrash8324]

This story reminds me of the study that was done with people who survived their attempts on the Golden Gate Bridge. They all said that about halfway down, they realized their problems had solutions, and they did not want to die. It sounds like when the adrenaline wore off, Richard had that “halfway point” where he realized that he had people who loved him, would miss him, and he didn’t want it to end like this. But, tragically, he must have felt that he was committed and couldn’t get out. Such a sad story, but covered professionally and sensitively. Thank you ❤

[@delanorrosey4730]

I remember the story of the CHP officer trying to talk them out of it. "There's always light and hope at the end of the tunnel", he said. One of his first ones, guy asked him "But what if you reach the end of the tunnel and there's nothing there? There is no light and all hope is gone. What am I to do? What am I going to do?" CHP officer didn't have an answer for him. Guy saw it in his eyes; he knew CHP officer was telling the truth. Both he and the CHP officer knew he'd come to the end of the line. He went over the side and finished his life's story.

[@mitch5944]

@dellanorosy4730 yea that's the thing once your brain is convinced there isn't a way out it's hard to convince it otherwise... I have a pretty good life personally but it all just seems so pointless most of the time even with success, healthy relationships and all that. It just doesn't really feel like it matters to me.

[@barnowl2222]

@mitch5944 I hope you find your light again. Take care.

[@navisakura7374]

Eyes locked shut but peek to see the view from halfway down

[@delanorrosey4730]

@@mitch5944 Similar situation here too. On the world's stage, I've had it better than some. Nowhere near am I rich, but it seems like everything is draining the life out of me. No time or opportunity to enjoy life on my terms. Half my life expended, the other half is sure to provide pain, misery, suffering unlike anything I've ever felt before in my first half. Some problems can be solved; others can't. The human body doesn't last forever, but pain is as real as it gets. Live one week or 134 years, it doesn't matter. Penciled in for a meeting with the Grim Reaper, when your time's up, it's over.

[@LunarSovereign]

I'm both an airline agent and a pilot, and I feel like I understand him. His point about minimum wage and using a flight sim is common in this industry. To be a real pilot takes time, and a ton of money. Being an airline agent means you get to work an overall very fun job with great people and cool planes, but they ALWAYS pay well below what the workers are owed. Trying to advance a pilot career while working ground ops in Aviation is nigh impossible, you just can't fund it. So you turn to flight sims to dream and pretend. The way I see it, he likely wanted to be a pilot and gave up on his dreams, mostly because of his income ("minimum wage, we'll chalk it up to that.") and decided that in his final moments, he'd achieve his dream and let it die with him.

[@carlos424211]

Video starts at 5:40

[@PhortyZips]

Fucking insane. Straight gibber jabber for 6 min straight. Good video though overall

[@evilgerman788]

Thanks brother

[@neenburg9913]

Was ab to comment this, wish I saw it earlier lmao

[@hydratedcat1798]

He flew over where my house is for a short period before crashing. This story makes my heart break a million times over. Our news networks covered it for quite a bit and it definitely increased security efforts at Sea-Tac. I hope he is resting easy now. 💖

[@magzzzzers]

I watched this happen from the ground in real-time, standing in my backyard. I remember seeing how low he was flying and thinking, "Wtf, that's not right." But watching him do the barrel roll gave me chills, I knew something was bad-wrong. I couldn't see him crash, but I heard it, and it still makes me cry. I had no clue what was going on at the time. Listening to the cockpit recordings on the news that day was absolutely chilling and heartbreaking. Something I'll never forget. RIP "Beebo" Russell, Sky King ❤

[@craigharper5799]

I was inside when it happened (didn't know it was happening at all until the crash), but it must've been so crazy to see a passenger plane do a fricken barrel roll. I wish I could've witnessed it, but I also understand how scary that must've been to watch....

[@magzzzzers]

@craigharper5799 It was absolutely WILD to see, but it definitely escalated quickly. It went from, "OMG, this is the coolest thing I've ever seen a regular person do with my own eyes," to "Oh holy $#@!, he's not gonna try to land it?!? He's going to die," head-spinningly fast. It was the day before my birthday. All I wanted was for him to miraculously survive. I still think he could've pulled off a landing. It's sad that he didn't want to try.

[@cgoldborn]

“I’m just a broken guy, got a few screws loose, didn’t really realize it till now” is one of the saddest notes of the story. It’s like he had a realization while on the plane, not living in the moment, but taking a step back about his life and the inevitable outcome this would lead to.. so sad

[@mayorofspicytown893]

At one point he says "Man the sites went by so fast. I was thinking I'd have this moment of serenity I would be able to take in all the sights it's a lot of pretty stuff but, I think they're prettier in a different context" that line has haunted me since I heard it.

[@ZeSgtSchultz]

​@@mayorofspicytown893when I heard him say that it hit me like a pallet of bricks