Comb Mistaken For Knife Diverts American Air Jet

Reuters (Through Yahoo) ^ | September 11, 2002

[John H K]

HOUSTON (Reuters) - A Dallas-bound American Airlines jet returned to Houston Intercontinental Airport shortly after takeoff on Wednesday after a flight attendant mistook a passenger's comb for a knife.

The incident highlighted a national case of nerves prompted by the first anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks by hijacked commercial airliners in which 3,044 people died, including the 19 hijackers.

American Airlines Flight 1702 turned around shortly after takeoff from Houston and flew back with an escort of two F-16 fighter jets, Houston airport spokesman Ernie DeSoto said.

"There were never any threats made or anything, but the pilot decided it would be better to be safe than take a chance so he came back" after a flight attendant reported spotting a possible weapon, he said.

Television reports showed the Fokker 100 jet with 50 passengers on board taxiing to the terminal surrounded by Houston Police Department cars.

Two men, who news reports said appeared to be of Arab descent, were taken into custody for questioning while investigators swept through the plane looking for a possible knife.

Instead, said American Airlines spokesman Todd Burke, "The object has turned out to be a folding comb."

The two men were being interviewed while American prepared to fly the other passengers to Dallas, he said.

Burke said there were two federal air marshals on the flight.

Two American Airlines jets were used by hijackers in the Sept. 11 attacks. One plowed into the north tower of New York's World Trade Center and the other into the Pentagon ( news - web sites) near Washington.

United Airlines also lost two jets when hijackers flew one into the World Trade Center's south tower and the other into a rural Pennsylvania field.

[John H K]

Saw in the threads on the incident mention that it was in fact a folding comb, going ahead and posting a full article on the subject.

[Vidalia]

Hummm, Greyhounds, the dogs and the busses sound so much friendlier.

Flying has become more of a Twilight Zone affair...

[WFTR]

I'm sorry, but two guys with a knife are not even a real threat. If a terrorist had tried to pull a knife today, he would have been torn to pieces by the passengers. To divert this plane over a comb is the height of stupidity and cowardice. For our enemies to see this happen only makes their victory last year even sweeter for them and more bitter for us.

A Year Later
Bill

[WorkingClassFilth]

I wouldn't be so sure. Wasn't there an episode of a middle-eastern man who got out of his passenger seat and slit the throat of a Greyhound Bus driver with a box cutter and caused a crash in which he (the perp) was killed? The driver miraculously survived. I believe it occurred in the days that followed the attack. Police said there was nothing to worry about though - business as usual.

[Chu Gary]

Is that a comb in your pocket or are you just glad to see me?

[WFTR]

Thank you for a much needed laugh.