BOMB PANIC
Plane BOMB scare as Texas-bound flight performs emergency landing and cops arrest two over ‘possible explosive device’
A FLIGHT going from Mississippi to Texas had to make an emergency landing after radio control was warned of a possible explosive device aboard the plane.
The flight, which left the Mississippi city of Jackson just before 12:30 PM Wednesday, had to make an emergency landing in Alexandria, Louisiana after initial reports claimed there was a possible bomb on the plane.
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Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office they received a tip from the Rapides 911 Center just after noon on Wednesday about an incoming plane with an explosive device inbound to the Alexandria International Airport (AEX).
The Sheriff's Office public information officer, Tommy Carnline, said the plane landed at AEX without incident.
Upon arrival, bomb squad personnel and local FBI agents were called to the to help with the investigation.
Passengers were then loaded off the plane with help from the England Airpark Fire Department as authorities secured the area and began inspecting the plane's contents.
"UPDATE-all passengers are off the aircraft and safe," a tweet from the Rapides Sheriff's Office. "England Authority is taking care of the passengers and United Airlines are making arrangements to get the passengers to their destination."
In another , the office explained they received the call at 12:24 PM "of a reported inbound aircraft emergency."
"According to initial reports, information was received there was a possible explosive device onboard an inbound aircraft to Alexandria International Airport," the post went on, before explaining the RPSO Bomb Squad and FBI were inspecting the plane for any explosive devices.
Carnline two passengers onboard the plane, which was expected to arrive in Houston, Texas later that day, were detained at the scene.
"CommutAir flight 4344, operating as United Express from Jackson, Mississippi to Houston, diverted to Alexandria, Louisiana, due to a security issue," CommutAir said in a . "Local authorities are on site and are investigating.
Megann Cox, a passenger onboard the plane, said passengers were not told why they were making an emergency landing in Louisiana.
"We were mid-air and they made the announcement that we would be making an unexpected stop in Alexandria," Cox said. "Never indicated why."
"We got to the airport here, got off the runway on these spurs on the tarmac," Cox said. "Shortly after we got here, they powered the engine down, turned all the electricity off, including the air circulation. We’ve been sitting in stagnant air for probably a good 40 or 45 minutes."
"They offered us some cold water, which was nice. They did not offer us any explanation until about 30 minutes in, that there was a customer service issue and they needed to address that," she continued. "There has been nothing else."
"There’s been no - apparently, there may be an attempt to get us off the plane, because they brought a set of portable steps out here," Cox ended.
"I don’t think maybe they’re tall enough," Cox said. "But, this is a completely full flight coming from Jackson to Houston. So, we’re all missing our connections."
Authorities have yet to say if there indeed was an explosive device found on the plane.
Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport officials said they were unaware of the situation.
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