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.