Flights searched after threat call
Airliners about to take off from Philadelphia and Boston were searched today after a caller reported “an item” on an American Airlines jet preparing to take off for Boston.
In Boston, a connecting flight to London, American Airlines Flight 156, was searched at Logan International Airport as it was about to take off.
“This is a precautionary sweep of the plane,” said Tim Wagner, a spokesman for American. “If there was a slight threat, it was not specific to this flight number.”
Philadelphia International Airport officials evacuated 19 passengers from American Airlines Flight 4543, airport spokesman Mark Pesce said.
Pesce said the passengers were taken to be rescreened, while the plane was towed to a remote area and searched. Nothing was found, he said.
Pesce said he could not comment on the possible nature of the item or origin of the call.
Police said the call was placed to the Embassy Suites Hotel Philadelphia Airport, whose staff reported it to authorities.
