KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- An American Airlines flight made an emergency landing at McGhee-Tyson Airport in Alcoa, Tennessee, Tuesday night following a bomb scare.
Airport Spokesperson Becky Huckaby told Local 8 News the pilots asked for permission to land at around 10:00 p.m. and requested that airport emergency crews be on standby.
American Airlines spokesperson Ross Feinstein said the plane was bound from Charlotte to Indianapolis, when the airline got a bomb threat. After the plane made a safe landing, passengers were evacuated, and crews found no bomb or technical problems with the plane.
Feinstein said the plane will be grounded overnight, and depart Wednesday. He said passengers will spend the night in Knoxville hotels.
One witness told Local 8 News two people were removed from the plane separate from other passengers.
Local 8 News Reporter David Ball confirmed that four or five officers along with a police K9 boarded the plane.
More than a dozen law enforcement agents and emergency crews were on scene. The Knoxville Police Department Bomb Squad also responded and searched at least two luggage items.
Original article can be found here: http://www.local8now.com
An American Airlines flight heading from Charlotte, N.C., to Indianapolis was diverted late Tuesday to Knoxville because of a "non-credible security threat," an airline spokesman said.
The aircraft had to stay overnight at McGhee Tyson Airport because the crew's on-duty time had lapsed. Passengers were being put up in hotel rooms at the airline's expense, according to the airline.
According to airport spokeswoman Becky Huckaby, airport management was alerted by the tower about 9:55 p.m. Tuesday that the plane was being diverted while en route from Charlotte.
She said an "Alert 2" status was issued for the flight, meaning there was a potential problem. More than 100 were believed to be on board.
The airport responded with emergency vehicles but the American Airlines plane landed safely and without incident.
American stressed the plane was never in any danger.
Passengers were expected to be rebooked Wednesday morning so they could continue on to their destinations.
Story and video: http://www.wbir.com
No comments:
Post a Comment