A Navy technician was arrested for allegedly making a bogus bomb threat while aboard a Hawaiian Airlines flight, officials said.
Electronics Technician 1st Class John Stea, 35, told a flight attendant that the passenger next to him had a bomb just moments before taking off from San Diego International Airport Tuesday morning, according to the San Diego Harbor Police.
Authorities were notified and swarmed Hawaiian Airlines Flight 15 on the tarmac at 8:45 a.m.
One man was yanked off the airplane in handcuffs, witnesses said — although it’s not clear whether it was Stea or the man he falsely claimed had the explosive.
All 293 people onboard were deplaned and bused to a safe area.
Following a search of the aircraft involving bomb-sniffing K9s, it was cleared by law enforcement. Passengers re-boarded the plane and took off for Honolulu about five hours later, according to Hawaiian Airlines.
Authorities said there is no threat to travelers at the San Diego airport.
“Harbor Police reminds the public that maliciously reporting a false bomb threat is against the law and can result in fines and up to one year incarceration in county jail or state prison if convicted,” the agency said.
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