An American Airlines flight passenger was arrested when the plane landed in New York after allegedly making a bomb threat, according to a witness.
Flight 4817, which had traveled from Indianapolis, was evacuated after arriving at LaGuardia Airport on Saturday afternoon with passengers told to get onto the tarmac due to a security issue.
According to a statement sent to CNN from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey the flight was evacuated “in response to reports by passengers of suspicious and erratic behavior by a fellow passenger.”
Port Authority spokesman Thomas Topousis told the network that passengers at one point became scared when the suspect reached for his luggage.
He added that there were 76 passengers and six crew who were aboard the flight at the time.
Indianapolis resident Laura Bergdoll, who traveled with her seven-year-old son, described what happened when the plane landed.
She told CNN: “The pilots and flight attendants started yelling ‘evacuate, evacuate,’ and we all got off the plane.
Bergdoll added: “Someone was acting suspiciously and made some type of bomb threat.”
The network added that other passengers reported seeing suspicious behavior on the plane and that they had alerted the flight crew and then the captain who then took the precautionary action to halt the plane away from the terminal.
LaGuardia Airport confirmed an incident had taken place onboard an American Airlines flight on Saturday and that an evacuation had taken place on one of its aircraft.
The earlier incident involving a disruptive American Airlines/Republic Airways passenger and an evacuation of passengers has been resolved, and the airport is operating normally.
*JC— LaGuardia Airport. Wear a Face Covering. (@LGAairport) October 9, 2021
In a tweet shared on Saturday, an airport spokesperson said: “The earlier incident involving a disruptive American Airlines/Republic Airways passenger and an evacuation of passengers has been resolved and the airport is operating normally.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) also responded to the incident in a tweet and said she and her team were being briefed on the latest information.
She said: “Earlier today, a pilot decided to make an emergency landing at @LGAairport due to a passenger disturbance. The passenger is in custody.
“We are monitoring the situation, and there is no reason to believe there is any danger to New Yorkers at this time.”
Earlier today, a pilot decided to make an emergency landing at @LGAairport due to a passenger disturbance. The passenger is in custody.
We are monitoring the situation, and there is no reason to believe there is any danger to New Yorkers at this time.
— Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) October 9, 2021
Footage claimed to have been taken shortly after the plane was evacuated was uploaded onto social media on Saturday.
In the clip, seen by Newsweek, a man can be seen lying face down on the ground as security officials stand nearby.
Passengers were then seen walking away from the man and plane towards the airport.
Newsweek has contacted LaGuardia Airport and The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for comment.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Airline Passenger Arrested After Allegedly Making ‘Bomb Threat’: Witness
Source: Gwapo Pinoys PH
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