A United Airlines flight traveling across the United States was abruptly diverted to Chicago Wednesday morning after a bomb threat was discovered in the flight’s restroom, officials and passengers said.
More than 200 passengers and crew members were evacuated after a Los Angeles-bound passenger plane took off from Newark Liberty International Airport and landed at O’Hare Airport around 7:45 a.m. after a note was found in the bathroom warning that the plane would explode. , CBS Chicago reported. It cited a preliminary police report.
United Flight 1533 was inspected by a bomb-sniffing dog and a suspicious bag was identified before being removed by a robot, the agency reported. Aviation officials told CBS Chicago that the K9 tied the bag to a threatening note found in the bathroom.
The Federal Aviation Administration and United Airlines both acknowledged that the plane was diverted due to “safety” concerns.
Ian O’Connor, a best-selling author and well-known sports columnist who was on the plane, told the Post on Wednesday night that the pilot told the plane that a “situation” had arisen that would force him to land in the Windy City. Told. The moments that followed were “pretty tense.”
No further details were released during the flight, but O’Connor said flight attendants yelled at several passengers who were trying to use the toilet to sit down after the pilot made an announcement.
“Some also said there would be consequences if we didn’t comply with that directive,” he said.
“It’s gotten very quiet on the plane,” he said in a text message on the flight to LAX again. “Your mind can go to some pretty dark places.
“Many of us just wanted to get on the ground, but seeing emergency vehicles waiting with their lights flashing was never a good sign.”
When the plane touched down, the flight attendant said over the intercom that there was a note in the bathroom from someone claiming there was a bomb on the plane and that law enforcement needed to investigate. Passengers were not allowed to take anything from the plane while being bused back to the terminal.
“The pilots parked their planes quite a distance from the terminal for obvious reasons,” said O’Connor, whose work has appeared in numerous publications, including the Post.
It was not immediately clear if anyone was taken into custody.
“At this time, there is no indication that there is an immediate threat to public safety or the facility itself,” the FBI’s Chicago office said in a statement.
The passengers were eventually allowed to take their bags and board another flight, while others were given permission to take off again and return to the plane.
Wednesday’s frightening scenario was the second time this week that threats have been issued against a commercial airliner.
Newark Airport Police received a report of a threat against Air Canada Flight 8657 around noon Monday, according to Port Authority Police.
Officials said the plane landed in Newark without incident and all passengers exited the plane before the canine unit was able to evacuate the plane.
Additional reporter Amanda Woods and Joe Marino.
