Alaska Flight Forced Into Emergency Landing After Bomb Threat

[Ladybbird]

Alaska Airlines Flight Forced Into Emergency Landing After Bomb Threat Made On Board

A male allegedly made the threat on a flight from Atlanta to Seattle forcing a last-gasp diversion.

BBC NEWS 7 JUL 2023





An Alaska Airlines flight was reportedly diverted following a blood-curdling bomb threat from a male passenger. The flight was travelling from Atlanta, in Georgia, to Seattle, in Washington, when the threat was made and the pilot had to make a diversion in Spokane, also in Washington.


A flight attendant alerted the captain to the earth-shattering news who rerouted the plane and landed at Spokane International.

The plane touched down at around 5.15pm and was intercepted by local police and FBI agents who took the suspect in.

It was reported that a bomb squad was at the scene when the plane landed around 300km from Seattle.

A spokesperson for American Airlines said in a statement: "A male guest made a direct threat to the safety of our aircraft to one of our flight attendants.

"As a precaution, the flight was diverted to Spokane and landed safely at 5.15pm Pacific.

"Consistent with security procedures, local and federal law enforcement were immediately notified and met the aircraft when it arrived."


According to the airline, 177 passengers and six crew members were on the craft when it had to be diverted to the Washington state city.

The threat itself was not officially confirmed by the airline, Spokane police told local media they received reports of a bomb threat.

No passengers were injured and were safely rerouted to another flight.

The gut-wrenching episode comes only a week after a Delta Airlines flight landed without front landing gear.

Passengers on board the aircraft were told to brace themselves as the pilot tried to manage the dangerous situation.

The plane, owned by Delta Air Lines, was flying from Atlanta to Charlotte in North Carolina last Wednesday when the malfunction took place.

The front landing gear did not deploy as the plane came in to land, with pilots forced to land with the nose in the "up" position, according to the airline.

Inflatable slides were deployed by the crew and around 100 people exited the aircraft safely without injury.

Delta said in a statement: "Nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and people. While this is a rare occurrence, Delta flight crews train extensively to safely manage through many scenarios and flight 1092 landed safely without reported injuries."

A passenger on the flight told Channel 9: "The crew told us there was an issue with the landing gear and instructed us to go over safety information.

"We came in low once and then climbed again. Second time had us brace but the landing was smooth. No jarring or even loud noises. We were in the back so that may have been why. Everyone evacuated via slides. No injuries as far as I know. Crew and pilots were wonderful!"