14 November 2023 , 09:42
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A plane was forced into an emergency landing after receiving a terrifying mid-air bomb threat from a passenger.
The United Airlines flight bound for Vancouver, Canada from Los Angeles was grounded at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) after a passenger announced the alleged bomb threat, according to the airport's duty manager. Reports indicated investigators spoke to passengers onboard the aircraft and that a threat was received via AirDrop, but this is unconfirmed.
The flight landed at SFO just before 9.30pm local time yesterday and was near Oregon before it was forced to turn around. After it was determined the threat to the plane was low, it was then allowed to land safely at SFO with 148 passengers and eight crew members on board.
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Flight UA1909 was forced to make a loop over the Lassen National Fores (flightaware.com)Flight UA1909 was forced to make a loop over the Lassen National Forest. In a statement, United said the flight suffered a "potential security issue."
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"United flight 1909 diverted to San Francisco this evening due to a potential security issue on board.," a spokesperson said. "The flight landed safely and was met by local law enforcement... We are working to get our customers to their final destination as soon as possible."
On Twitter, one passenger said the flight diversion felt like they were playing a real-life version of the game 'Among Us,' where users attempt to keep a spaceship in good condition while a saboteur runs amok in their midst. The user tweeted: "Bomb threat on my flight (LA -> Vancouver) just now, had to make an emergency landing.
"FBI interviewed me because I was one of the people who got the threat on air drop. This has been one crazy weekend bruh."
Another person said: "UA 1909 flight left LAX. Did emergency landing.... We sitting on tarmac frying away in sfo. No one is telling us what is going on with Marshall’s called."
Another United flight operated by Republic Airways was grounded in March this year after a note threatening a bomb was found in the plane's lavatory. The flight, which left Newark Airport for Burlington International Airport in Vermont was alerted to an alleged bomb threat around 20 minutes before it was due to land.
NBC affiliate WPTZ obtained audio of the pilot, who said: "A flight attendant just came up and said that a passenger found a note ... that said there was a bomb on board."
In a news conference, Nic Longo, the director of aviation at Burlington International Airport said the plane was told to land at a "specific location" and "there is no reason to believe this is anything but an isolated incident."
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