Unruly passengers aboard an Alaska Airlines flight allegedly threatened to take over the plane just as it was preparing to depart from Miami, according to air traffic control audio. The incident, which occurred on a Sunday flight bound for Seattle, prompted the pilots to enact a lockdown protocol.
"We have set the parking brake and we have a customer disturbance on board right now with threats coming from customers," the pilot communicated to air traffic controllers, as captured on LiveATC audio shared on social media. The pilot further stated, "The flight attendants have received threats from customers on board the aircraft" and requested law enforcement assistance, confirming "Absolutely" when asked if police were needed.
In the audio, the pilot relayed the severity of the situation, stating, "Last we heard from the flight attendants is we had a customer threaten to take the aircraft over." In response to the reported threats, Miami-Dade sheriffs deplaned the passengers "out of an abundance of caution," according to aviation website Paddle your Own Kanoo. Police later stated that "The investigation determined there was no credible threat. The two individuals involved were rebooked on another flight."
Alaska Airlines acknowledged the disruption, with a notice on its website indicating the carrier was "working to reaccommodate guests" affected by the incident. FlightAware data showed Alaska Airlines Flight 305 was expected to depart Miami at 6:43 p.m. local time on Monday.