A United Airlines flight traveling from Chicago O’Hare to New York City’s LaGuardia airport was compelled to make an emergency landing in Pittsburgh on Saturday morning following reports of a “possible security issue” from the flight crew. The incident prompted a swift response from federal and local authorities.
United flight 2092 diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport, where passengers were safely evacuated using emergency slides. Footage shared by the ABC News affiliate in Pittsburgh, WTAE, displayed the United aircraft on the tarmac with its slides deployed, capturing the tense moments following the evacuation.
In response to the potential threat, the FBI dispatched agents and bomb technicians to the airport. A statement from the bureau’s Pittsburgh office confirmed their presence on-site, working collaboratively with local law enforcement. Officers from the Allegheny County Police Department also arrived, equipped with a bomb squad and a canine unit specially trained to detect explosives.
The Allegheny County Police issued a statement indicating their bomb squad was summoned due to the reported security concern. Their Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team conducted a thorough sweep of the aircraft, along with inspections of the passengers and their luggage. Fortunately, their search yielded no threats.
Bob Kerlik, the director of public affairs for the Allegheny County Airport Authority, stated that law enforcement had cleared the scene, indicating that there was no ongoing threat. He confirmed that Pittsburgh International Airport remained open and operational throughout the incident.
Subsequent to the successful evacuation and safety assessments, passengers on the diverted flight were rebooked on another aircraft. Authorities have not provided details concerning the nature of the alleged threat or if any individuals have been apprehended in connection with the incident.
