ANN REALTIME UPDATE 08.16.06 1400 EDT: It appears increasingly likely that this morning's diversion of a United Airlines flight from London bound for Washington, DC was due to an altercation involving a claustrophobic passenger -- and was not the result of an attempted terrorist attack.

CNN reports United 923 was diverted to Boston's Logan International Airport -- escorted by two F-15 fighters -- after the pilots declared an emergency Wednesday morning due to a disturbance in the passenger cabin. The Boeing 767 landed without incident, and was directed to a remote area of the airport -- where the passengers and crew disembarked, and security officials searched the airliner and all baggage.

The Associated Press earlier quoted an unnamed airport official, who stated the passenger had in her possession matches, Vaseline and a note containing references to al-Qaeda. That report was hastily discounted by a spokesperson with the Transportation Security Administration.

The incident occured in the aftermath of last week's foiled terrorist plot to take down airliners bound for the US from London, using explosives carried onboard in hand luggage.

Today's date -- August 16 -- was reportedly the date suspects arrested in the case had intended to launch those attacks.

Original Story

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 08.16.06 1145 EDT: United Airlines Flight 923, flying from London to Washington, DC, was diverted to Boston Wednesday morning after one or more passengers reportedly caused some kind of disturbance with the flight crew.

CNN reports a female passenger told flight attendants she was claustrophobic, became agitated and caused some kind of confrontation with the crew. The airliner's pilots declared an emergency and diverted to Boston's Logan International.

Contrary to earlier reports that the passenger was carrying several suspicious items -- including Vaseline, matches, and a note referencing al-Qaeda, and that more than one passenger may have been involved in the apparent altercation -- a federal security official says there is no indication of terrorism at this time.

All 182 passengers and 12 crewmembers were hustled off the plane in a remote area of the airport, and loaded on a bus to the terminal. All carry-on luggage on the flight is now being checked by authorities.

We would like to stress that ALL information being reported is still preliminary. Stay tuned to ANN for further details as they become available.

FMI: www.united.com, www.tsa.gov