Flight To N.Y. Diverted Over Terror Scare
Flight to N.Y. diverted over terror scare
Airline says false alarm but jet sent to remote site as precaution
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8085449/
BREAKING NEWS
NBC News and news services
Updated: 10:49 a.m. ET June 3, 2005 WASHINGTON - Canadian fighter jets intercepted a Virgin Atlantic jet over the Atlantic on Friday after the aircraft emitted a signal indicating a hijacking was in progress. The pilots later said there was no hijacking, and Virgin Atlantic described the incident as a false alarm.
Homeland Security Department spokeswoman Katie Montgomery said that Virgin Atlantic Flight 45 was en route from London’s Heathrow Airport to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, when the aircraft began emitting code 7500, which indicates a hijacking is in progress.
“Communications have been made with the pilots,” Montgomery said. “The pilots are indicating there is no hijack.”
Homeland Security is checking other indicators to confirm the pilots’ information, she said.
As a precaution, the plane will land in Halifax, Canada, Montgomery said.
The jet is carrying 271 passengers and 17 crew.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
