An aviation expert spoke with News 12 about airport security after an airline employee stole an empty commercial plane in Seattle and crashed it into a small island after being chased by military jets on Friday.

Sal Lagonia, an aviation attorney and pilot in Yorktown, says more facts need to come out from the investigation before they determine if proper protocol was followed.

Lagonia says it would have been hard to stop the pilot, Richard Russel, from flying the plane.

"This airplane was not at a gate, so it was out in the middle of a maintenance area where it had pretty easy access for someone who was employed by the airline like this guy,” he says.

At places like Westchester County Airport, some wonder if employees should have more limited access to planes.

Richard Russel was a baggage handler, and Lagonia says a move like that would keep workers from doing their job.

"How can we restrict him from having more access? They are putting baggage in the back, we have to trust they will do their job properly,” he says.

Lagonia says it’s also a challenge to get better mental health screening in the hiring process.

“The mental health part of it often goes unfounded because there are so many safeguards in place to have your mental health protected,” he says.

While the investigation may show there needs to be better safeguards with airport employees, Lagonia says these type of incidents are isolated and extremely rare.

“For the most part, airport safety is excellent. This is one incident we hear about and we talk about it for a week. These things don't happen very often,” he says.