https://www.kitv.com/news/business/security-scare-on-hawaiian-airlines-flight-from-san-diego-to-honolulu-passengers-evacuated/article_aad2bda0-2447-4425-b8c5-df9ee49b6b67.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_KITV4(pretty calm under the circumstances, they switched to the discrete freq, which isn't covered at KSAN. Glad all ok)
SAN DIEGO (Island News) – In the investigation for a bomb threat to Hawaiian Airlines flight 15 from San Diego to Honolulu on Tuesday morning, a man was arrested in connection the incident that delayed the flight.
LT Mohammad N. Issa, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, Commander, U.S. Third Fleet, provided the following details about the suspect that is in custody:
"We can confirm Electronics Technician 1st Class John Stea, assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Group One, was arrested by San Diego Harbor Police on May 20 following an alleged bomb threat. The safety of the public and our personnel is of utmost importance to the Navy. We take all threats seriously and are cooperating fully with local and federal authorities."
According to Hawaiian Airlines, a guest was overheard making a threat to the safety of the aircraft.
As a precaution, the captain responded by taxiing the Airbus A330 to a safe location on the airfield, where it was met with local and federal law enforcement. Passengers on the flight were safely evacuated. Officials state that there were a total of 283 passengers and 10 crew members on board.
“We appreciate their understanding during this situation and apologize for any concern this may have caused. We are working to get all guests to Honolulu as quickly as possible. We are grateful for the professionalism and care of our flight attendants and pilots throughout this event,” shared a Hawaiian Airlines spokesperson.
San Diego FBI Officers confirmed that agents responded to the airport after receiving reports of a threat. They later determined there was no current threat to public safety but the investigation remains ongoing.
“We continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and report all suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately,” said an FBI San Diego representative.
The San Diego Harbor Police reported that they received a dispatch call from the captain of the Hawaiian Airlines flight 15 with the reports of a possible bomb threat onboard the plane.
According to San Diego Harbor Police, the flight was set to depart from the airport and had just detached from the jetway when a flight attendant informed the flight’s captain that a passenger reported a possible bomb onboard. Port of San Diego Harbor Police’s Maritime Tactical (MARTAC, also known as SWAT) team, K-9 Team, Joint Terrorism Task Force, the San Diego Fire Department, and the FBI all responded to the scene to search the plane and its content.
Officials reported that nothing suspicious was found and that everyone on board were evacuated and taken by a bus to a safe area.
“There is no threat to the public or travelers, and operations at San Diego International Airport are normal. If anyone has any information regarding the incident, they are encouraged to call the Harbor Police non-emergency line at 619-686-6272,” shared the San Diego Harbor Police.
