A Hawaiian Airlines flight at San Diego International Airport was stopped and evacuated on Tuesday morning after a bomb threat was reported. John Stea, an Electronics Technician 1st Class with the U.S. Navy, was arrested by San Diego Harbor Police for making a false bomb threat. The Airbus A330, carrying 293 people, was preparing to depart for Honolulu when a crew member overheard the threat. The passengers were safely evacuated, and the flight was delayed by about five hours. The Navy is cooperating with the investigation, as reported by KITV.
A passenger who chose to remain anonymous spoke to Hawaii News Now about the incident. They described the arrival of FBI agents on board and the arrest of the suspect. The passenger initially thought there was a mechanical issue but understood the seriousness when law enforcement arrived with weapons.
Following an arrest, passengers were moved to a hangar while the San Diego Harbor Police’s Maritime Tactical (MARTAC) team, K-9 units, Joint Terrorism Task Force, and FBI searched the plane with no items of concern found. The San Diego Harbor Police stated, "There is no threat to the public or travelers, and operations at San Diego International Airport are normal," which was confirmed by the FBI, as mentioned by KITV. Travelers were later allowed back on the plane, with some choosing alternate flights. The airport resumed normal operations by midday. The FBI reminded the public to report any suspicious behavior.
