I. M. Esperto
30th Sep 2002, 14:57
http://avweb.com/n/?40a&otf
A Spirit Airlines flight with 137 aboard out of Orlando for New York returned after passengers aboard the aircraft began screaming at two men. The men -- or one of them -- got into an argument with other passengers as one of them attempted to use the restroom near the nothing.cockpit shortly after departure. The two men were of Guyanese descent. Most of the others were Orthodox Jews ... according to a local Fox News report...
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I'd like more details on this, but a search turned up nothing
Airbubba
30th Sep 2002, 17:35
Terror fears force plane to return to Orlando
By Pedro Ruz Gutierrez | [MCO] Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted September 27, 2002
A Spirit Airlines flight from Orlando to New York returned to Orlando International Airport on Thursday afternoon after passengers began screaming at two fellow travelers who looked suspicious, authorities said.
The unidentified passengers, who were predominantly Orthodox Jews, became unruly after apparently singling out two young men who appeared to be Middle Eastern. The pair was later determined to be of Guyanese descent.
The discount carrier's Flight 1864, with 137 passengers, left OIA at 3:30 p.m. After the fracas, the crew made a U-turn three miles south of Jacksonville. By 4 p.m., the MD-80 was back at OIA.
All passengers exited the plane, and an Orlando-based FBI agent conducted interviews. There were no charges filed, and no one was injured during the incident.
Orlando police and Greater Orlando Aviation Authority personnel referred all inquiries to the FBI's Tampa office. Calls to that office were not returned Thursday night.
Carolyn Fennell, a GOAA spokeswoman, said a new crew took over the plane, which finally departed for New York City's La Guardia Airport at 9:45 p.m.
"Shortly after takeoff, there was an argument between two groups on the plane," said Laura Bennett, a spokeswoman for Spirit Airlines. Bennett said the incident was a misunderstanding that started when one of the young men got up to use the restroom near the cockpit.
Last November, a Spirit flight from OIA to New York made an emergency landing in Charleston, S.C., after an unarmed passenger threatened to shoot a flight attendant and hijack the plane. She was arrested and no weapon was found.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-locflight27092702sep27.story