This probably isn’t the way these travelers were hoping to end their year.
A flight heading to Houston was forced to make an emergency landing at the Alexandria International Airport in Louisiana, reportedly due to a possible explosive device being found on the plane. While no one was injured, two juveniles were reportedly detained due to the incident.
United Airlines confirmed to Fox News that the flight, which was flying from Jackson, Miss., to Houston, Texas, was flown by CommutAir, a regional airline that is part of the United Express brand.
In a statement obtained by Fox News, a spokesperson for CommutAir said, CommutAir flight 4344, operating as United Express from Jackson, Mississippi to Houston, diverted to Alexandria, Louisiana, due to a customer-related security issue. The flight landed safely and was met by local authorities who are investigating the matter further.
2 men detained after reports of possible bomb on flight headed to Houston, officials say
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HOUSTON – A United flight headed to Houston was diverted to Alexandria International Airport after reports of a possible explosive device onboard, according to Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office.
At 12:24 p.m., the sheriff’s office received a call of a reported inbound aircraft emergency, officials said.
The flight was en route from Jackson, Mississippi to Houston before being diverted to Louisiana, according to deputies. The aircraft landed safely and passengers were deplaned, deputies said.
According to The Associated Press, a passenger, Megann Cox, told KALB-TV they were mid-air when the flight crew announced they would be making an unexpected stop in Alexandria. She said the plane sat on the tarmac with the electricity off, including the air circulation.
Plane from Jackson makes emergency landing after report of possible explosive device
The FBI released a statement saying they have determined no threat to public safety Share Updated: 9:35 PM CST Dec 30, 2020
The FBI released a statement saying they have determined no threat to public safety Share Updated: 9:35 PM CST Dec 30, 2020
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Show Transcript EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ON BOARD,AND THE FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT HAPPENED. UNITED FLIGHT 4344 TOOK OFF FROM JACKSON- EVERS INTERNATIONAL AT 11:39 IN THE MORNING, BOUND FOR HOUSTON TEXAS. BUT JUST MINUTES INTO THE FLIGHT, THE PLANE WAS DIVERTED TO ALEXANDRIA, LOUISIANA. NOT LONG AFTER THAT, THE RAPIDES PARRISH SHERIFF S DEPARTMENT RECEIVED A 911 CALL ABOUT AN INBOUND EMERGENCY. TWITTER GRAPHIC: @RAPIDESSHERIFF AT APPROXIMATELY 12:24PM, SHERIFFS DISPATCH RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE RAPIDES 911 CENTER OF A REPORTED INBOUND AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY. ACCORDING TO INITIAL REPORTS, INFO
UPDATE: In an update from the New Orleans Office of the FBI, there were no explosives found in the airplane that made an unscheduled landing at Alexandria International Airport yesterday. As part of a coordinated law enforcement effort between LSP, RPSO, Transportation Security Administration, US Attorney s Office for the Western District of LA, Rapides Parish Homeland Security, Rapides Parish DA and England Air Park Authority it was determined there was no threat to public safety and all diverted airline passengers have proceeded to their destinations.
At approximately 12:24pm this afternoon, Rapides Parish Sheriffs Dispatch received a call from the Rapides 911 Center of a reported inbound aircraft emergency that indicated there was a possible explosive device onboard an inbound aircraft to Alexandria International Airport.
Two Juveniles Detained in Mid-Air Explosive Threat in Alexandria
You would have to imagine that when passengers boarded United Airlines Flight 4344 with service from Jackson Mississippi to Houston Texas there was no inkling about the drama that was about to unfold. The flight left Jackson about 11:30 yesterday morning.
At 12:24 pm the Rapides Parish Sheriff s Department received a 911 call about an aircraft with a midair emergency. That threat suggested there was a possible explosive device onboard the aircraft. Approximately four minutes later the aircraft was safely on the ground at Alexandria International Airport. However, the plane was not taxied to the gate.