Security Risk Quarantines American Eagle Jet At MIA
MIAMI (CBSMiami) - An American Eagle regional jet bound to Miami from Indianapolis was quarantined and the passengers removed by bus, while police dogs sniffed luggage that had been removed from the plane and spread out on the tarmac. There was no immediate explanation why, but police sounded the all-clear at 11:30.
American Eagle flight 3516 arrived at Miami International Airport just before 10 a.m., and was immediately diverted to an area of the airport known as the 'penalty box', where planes are sent after problems are reported on board.
Miami-Dade police spokesperson Det. Alvaro Zabaleta said a 'security alert' was reported from the plane.
One passenger told CBS4 that she was told by an FBI agent that a seal on a door in the bathroom which leads to a door was broken and that's what prompted the security concerns.
The plane was not allowed to go to the terminal, but instead, it was parked in the Penalty Box where Chopper 4 showed luggage stacked in neat rows beside the small jet.
Police K-9 units were seen passing through the rows, checking each piece of luggage. Police did not immediately say why the luggage was being checked.
Shortly after 11 a.m., a group of Miami-Dade police cars was seen leading a caravan of police cars and 2 buses from the plane to the terminal. While police did not say who was aboard, it's assumed passengers were being taken from the jet to complete their flight. 48 passengers and crew were reported to be on board.
American Eagle is a regional airline which connects with American Airline flights. The jet used is an Embraer ERJ-145, which has a capacity of 50 passengers and crew.
