An American Airlines flight bound for New York City was halted just before takeoff in San Francisco on Thursday after someone called in a threat against the jetliner that was later described by the FBI as non credible.
A witness said two passengers in the back row attracted suspicion after the threat was reported and were taken off the plane in handcuffs. But a law enforcement official later said no one was in custody.
American Airlines Flight 24 had been scheduled to take off at 7:30 a.m. at San Francisco International Airport and was grounded about 10 a.m. after a late departure from the gate.
Passengers were removed from the plane and taken by buses to a terminal, where they were sent through security again.
It was not clear whether it was a bomb or hijacking threat, but a second federal law enforcement official who received an investigative update on the case said it was not a credible one.
The official said the FBI in San Francisco recorded the threat as a potential hijacking. The threat was relayed more broadly throughout the FBI as a potential bombing. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.
The incident occurred on a Boeing 767 that had already been delayed at least two hours with 163 passengers and a crew of 11.
“There was no fear in the cabin at all,” passenger Michael Kidd told The Associated Press in an interview. “It was pretty calm. Even with the frustration of having to sit there, there were no raised voices.”
