Passengers alarmed by what they believed was suspicious activity by a Somali national resulted in a plane’s being turned back to the gate from the runway at Philadelphia International Airport yesterday, authorities said. There was no threat, security officials determined after investigating the man and searching the plane, authorities said.
The Somali, whose name was not released, came under suspicion around 2:30 p.m. when he stepped away from the gate and asked another passenger to watch his carry-on bag, authorities said. The man returned and boarded the plane with his bag.
US Airways Flight 1183 to Dallas was headed to a runway when it was called back, and law enforcement agents removed the Somali. Seventy-nine passengers were also removed so a security team could search the plane.
The flight resumed after an 80-minute delay, authorities said. The Somali national was cleared and booked a later flight to Dallas. – Robert Moran
