Passenger’s ‘Suspicious Behavior’ Triggers Emergency Landing Of American Eagle Flight

An American Eagle flight operated by Republic Airways was forced to make an emergency landing at New York’s LaGuardia Airport after a passenger exhibited “suspicious behavior.”

The plane landed around 3 p.m. on Saturday and was deplaned on the runway. A man was detained by law enforcement minutes after the plane landed. 

“American Eagle flight 4817, operated by Republic Airways with service from Indianapolis to New York (LGA), deplaned on the taxiway at LGA due to a potential security issue,” American Airlines said in a statement. “The aircraft landed safely, and all customers deplaned without incident.”

A passenger on the flight told Eyewitness News that a man was exhibiting suspicious behavior and overheard a woman say, “Don’t do that, don’t do that.” People on the plane became alarmed and alerted the flight crew.

“It was a suspicion of a bomb, and then everyone was just shoving and pushing, jumping out of the airplane,” the passenger said. 

The man described a chaotic scene as passengers and crew tried to deplane.

After the passenger was interviewed, it was determined that no charges would be filed. Port Authority officials described the incident as a “misunderstanding.”