American Airlines Flight 2819, en route from New York to Chicago, was diverted to Detroit on March 29 after passenger Jason Douglas Pazol allegedly threatened to blow up the plane. Pazol, whom officials say was experiencing a medication-related breakdown, reportedly made the threat to force a landing. The aircraft — carrying about 150 people — was searched and cleared; no explosives or injuries were found. Pazol faces a federal charge of conveying false or misleading information and was taken to a hospital for evaluation.
American Airlines Flight Diverted After Passenger Allegedly Threatens to 'Blow Up' Plane; No Explosives Found
American Airlines flight diverted to Detroit after passenger allegedly makes ominous threat
A Chicago-bound American Airlines flight (Flight 2819) was diverted to Detroit Metro Airport on March 29 after a passenger allegedly threatened to blow up the plane, federal authorities said. The passenger was identified as Jason Douglas Pazol, who investigators say was experiencing a medication-related breakdown while aboard the flight from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight headed to Chicago forced the aircraft to make an emergency landing in Detroit after he allegedly made a false bomb threat.(Getty Images)
Incident Details
According to a Justice Department complaint, Pazol told crew and fellow travelers,
"I will blow this f------ plane up."He later told authorities, "I swear to God, I am going to do something terrible," and admitted he understood such statements are sometimes used to force planes to land, saying he was "f------ sick," prosecutors said.
The flight was forced to land in Detroit.
The aircraft carried about 150 passengers and crew. Following the threat, the plane was diverted to Detroit Metro Airport, everyone on board was evacuated, and the aircraft was moved to an isolated area and searched for explosives. None were found and passengers and crew were re-screened before departing the scene.
Aftermath
Pazol has been federally charged with conveying false or misleading information. After officers determined he was unarmed, he was taken to a hospital for evaluation. No injuries were reported. American Airlines was contacted for comment, according to reports.
Note: All factual details are drawn from federal court documents and statements from authorities; no explosives were discovered and the incident ended without physical harm to passengers or crew.
Help us improve.
