False alarm causes security scare on LA-bound JetBlue flight at JFK Airport
JAMAICA, Queens (WABC) -- A false alarm caused panic on the runway at JFK Airport on Tuesday night.
Port Authority police surrounded the Los Angeles-bound JetBlue flight around 8:00 p.m. when it apparently experienced a radio issue that impacted the crew's ability to communicate.
JetBlue confirmed a false alarm was sent to JFK tower during the radio issue which prompted a strong police response.
"There was a false alarm sent to tower as a result of a radio communications failure. Aircraft was inspected and cleared with no security threat," a Port Authority spokesperson said in a statement.
Video from the runway showed dozens of emergency vehicles surrounding the plane.
Scared passengers tweeted from inside the aircraft:
"While communication was reestablished via alternate channels, authorities responded in an abundance of caution. The aircraft was cleared and returned to the gate for inspection," a JetBlue official said in a statement.
The FAA said it will investigate the incident.
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