By Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY
Philadelphia police now say it was a hoax that prompted a US Airways flight to return to Philadelphia on security concerns.
US Airways Flight 1267 returned to Philadelphia this morning shortly after takeoff because of an anonymous tip called in to Philadelphia police.
A name provided in the tip matched the name of a person on the flight. The tip claimed that the person was carried a dangerous substance, which led to the decision to recall the flight. Armed authorities boarded the flight after it returned and sought out the man, who apparently was caught off guard by the situation.
"He was obviously very alarmed, as I would be if heavily armed police officers entered a plane to take me off," Philadelphia Chief Inspector Joe Sullivan tells The Associated Presssaid. "And he was certainly stunned. And that's why this is no joke, this is no laughing matter."
Sullivan went on to call it "a pretty nasty trick."
The Airbus A319 ultimately was cleared after a search by bomb technicians.
Sullivan says the perpetrator of the hoax faces serious charges if found.
"It's just an incredibly foolish and irresponsible thing to do and, bottom line, it's criminal," he says.
USA TODAY