A SkyWest aircraft from Oregon was detained by federal authorities this morning after it landed at Denver International Airport.
DIA spokesman Steve Snyder said TSA screeners in Eugene, Oregon, searched baggage for SkyWest flight 6649 before it left at 6 a.m., today, for Denver. They found something, but cleared it and the plane took off.
Later, the screeners notified Denver they had more questions about the items. After it landed in Denver, the aircraft was sent to an isolated area at DIA, the 63 passengers and 4 crew members were taken off and FBI agents searched the plane.
Nothing was found, so everyone was put back on the plane and it taxied to the assigned gate. The FBI detained two passengers for questioning, according to Snyder.
Carrie Harmon, spokeswoman for the TSA, said the item was found in a passenger’s checked bag in Eugene and was removed.
“Upon further scrutiny and out of an abundance of caution, local authorities were contacted,” she said. “Local (Eugene) police notified the bomb squad which responded to the scene and established a safe zone around the item.’
The FBI determined the item was not a threat.
Airport operations at DIA were not affected and the airport is considered secure again, Snyder said.
Staff writer Mike McPhee can be reached at mmcphee@denverpost.com or by calling (303) 954-1409.
