Pilot indicated a threat on board, but after the aircraft landed, it was found that this was false threat; man had lost a family member and traveled precisely for this reason
An American Airlines flight from San Juan in, to, to the United States, had to return to Origin Airport after a passenger interpreted a message received by another occupant as a possible threat to flight safety. According to local authorities, the passenger read on a man’s cell phone by her side the acronym “RIP” (back to “rest in peace”, or “rest in peace”) and warned the crew. The pilot then reported the control tower that there was “a threat on board” and requested support in the landing.
About 30 minutes after takeoff, with 193 passengers on board, returned to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. After landing, agents at Puerto Rico’s Explosives and Public Security Office found that it was a fake alarm. The passenger explained that he had lost a family member the day before and that the message referred to the death. He was traveling precisely for that reason.
After safety check, the aircraft was released to resume the flight. In a note to the newspaper USA TodayAmerican Airlines reported that the landing occurred safely and stressed that “safety and protection are priorities” of the company. The case happened on July 3, but repercussions only this week.
Posted by Felipe Dantas
*Report produced with the aid of AI
