An American Airlines flight going to Dallas/Fort Worth diverted to Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. Passengers evacuated. Details soon

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Answers

Is it starting again? Tonight?????

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

sorry. Per CNN--

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

That story dropped off the radar fast. Will keep looking.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

LaGuardia to New York--threatening note was found, decision made to divert to Dulles. All passngers and crew off safely.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationw...ion%2Dheadlines

Threat Diverts American Flight 785

By CHRISTOPHER NEWTON

Associated Press Writer

October 29, 2001, 9:13 PM EST

WASHINGTON --

An American Airlines plane made an unscheduled landing at Washington Dulles International Airport on Monday night after a threatening note was found aboard, according to airport officials. Passengers used emergency slides to leave the aircraft.

The Boeing 757 plane, American Flight 785 enroute to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport from New York's La Guardia Airport, landed just after 7 p.m., according to airport officials.

"There was a threat and it is being investigated," said Paul Malandrino, an operations manager at Dulles International. "Everyone is safe. The passengers are off the airplane." The threat was made in a note found on board, according to an airport official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The FBI is investigating the threat, but bureau spokesmen Chris Murray would not comment on whether it was genuine or if the plane was ever in any danger.

The airport continued to operate normally, with planes landing and taking off on schedule. American Airlines spokesman Gus Whitcomb would not comment on why the airplane was diverted.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001

Monday October 29 11:27 PM ET

Written Bomb Threat Diverts Plane

By CHRISTOPHER NEWTON, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - An American Airlines plane made an unscheduled landing at Washington Dulles International Airport on Monday night after a written bomb threat was found aboard, airport and government officials said. Passengers used emergency slides to leave the aircraft.

The Boeing 757 plane, American Flight 785 en route to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport from New York's La Guardia Airport, landed just after 7 p.m., according to officials at the airport in suburban Virginia 25 miles west of Washington.

``There was a threat and it is being investigated,'' said Paul Malandrino, an operations manager at Dulles. ``Everyone is safe. The passengers are off the airplane.'' No bomb was found.

A recorded statement by American Airlines spokesman Gus Whitcomb said the plane was diverted because of a suspicious note, but gave few other details. A government official speaking on condition of anonymity said the note was a bomb threat.

The FBI (news - web sites) is investigating the threat, but bureau spokesmen Chris Murray would not comment on whether it was genuine or if the plane was ever in danger.

Immediately after the plane landed it was directed to a remote part of the airport and surrounded by police vehicles.

Three of the plane's 141 passengers suffered minor injuries while leaving the plane on the emergency slides, said Tara Hamilton, a spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. The injured, who suffered bruises, sprained ankles and back pain, were taken to nearby Reston Hospital.

After the plane landed, two airport runways were closed for an hour and 40 minutes while investigators searched the plane with bomb-sniffing dogs.

Following the search, the airport resumed normal operations.

American Airlines workers at Dulles said they hoped to get most of the diverted passengers on another plane to Texas late Monday night.

-- Anonymous, October 29, 2001