Fighter jets scrambled after mid-air ‘verbal disturbance’
Tuesday, 23 Jun, 2016
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A Los Angeles bound flight was diverted to Tucson, Arizona and escorted by two F-16 fighter jets following a mid-air ‘verbal disturbance.’
After departing San Antonio en route to LA a male passenger challenged crew members with ‘some type of verbal disturbance,’ according Jessie Butler, a spokeswoman for the Tucson Airport Authority.
Despite the scrambling of fighter jets and the plane being met by FBI agents on the tarmac, ‘there was no threat to public safety,’ special agent Matthew Reinsmoen said in a statement.
The unidentified passenger was taken off and detained by the FBI.
The Compass Airlines Embraer 170 aircraft, operated on behalf of Delta Air Lines, was carrying about 80 passengers and crew.
All passengers deplaned and went through additional security screening and were questioned by investigators before continuing to Los Angeles.
Tucson Airport cited ‘interference with flight crew’ in a series of Twitter posts but did not elaborate further.
Passenger Ryan Healy, who live tweeted the incident, said the man was possibly having ‘some sort of breakdown.’
A spokesman for North American Aerospace Defense Command confirmed to ABC News the incident met the criteria to scramble the fighter jets but did not disclose any specific details.
The FBI in Phoenix is still investigating the incident.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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