A United Airlines flight was cleared in front of take-off at San Francisco International Airport on Thursday after a teen sent an image of an Airsoft firearm to different travelers onboard via Airdrop, an iPhone highlight that permits sharing between other Apple Inc. products.
KNTV revealed as the flight bound for Orlando was preparing to leave the gate, a few travelers got the photograph of the realistic-looking toy gun, sparking alarm.
Everybody on the airplane was forced to de-board and go through security screening a second time. The youngster was not permitted back on the flight.
Doug Yakel, a representative for the airport, told the outlet that the teen didn’t have the gun with the rest of his personal effects, and it was resolved that the photograph was taken from a prior date from an alternate area. He said that clearing was “out of an abundance of caution.”
“United flight 2167 departing from San Francisco to Orlando was delayed due to a security issue involving a customer on board,” United Airlines told Fox News via email in response to an inquiry about the incident. “Law enforcement officials were notified and our teams are working with them to review this matter. As a precaution, all customers deplaned and were rescreened before the flight departed.”