Police: Threat On Plane Unfounded, Indications Are It's A Hoax - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5

Police: Threat On Plane Unfounded, Indications Are It's Hoax

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Philadelphia Police say the anonymous tip of a suspicious person on board a US Airways plane appears to have been a hoax.

Working off of an anonymous tip, police, members of the bomb squad and federal agents descended on Philadelphia International Airport for a report of a suspicious man that was on board a US Airways flight.

In an 11 a.m. news conference, investigators say this appears to be a hoax and that there was never an emergency situation. Police say the person behind this incident now could face "serious" federal charges.

Flight 1267 departed at 8:00 from PHL.  It was headed to Dallas when it was turned around shortly after take-off.

After returning to PHL, bomb sniffing dogs and agents immediately searched the plane.

Fox 29 crews at the scene report a man was escorted off the plane. Police say the man was not carrying anything dangerous or illegal. He has since been booked to travel on another flight.

Throughout the incident, the airport remained open and flights continued to take off and land.

Investigators say the plane has since been cleared.

Police say the entire incident began at 7:30 a.m., when Philadelphia Police airport headquarters received a phone call that alleged a suspicious man was attempting to board a flight leaving the airport. Police say the caller gave a name. They are not releasing any other information about the wording of the call or on the individual who placed the call.

Police say the information received from the call was then passed on to members of the FBI, TSA and other investigators at the airport.

A decision was then made to bring the flight back to the airport.

Stay with Fox 29 News and myfoxphilly.com for the latest information on this story.  

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