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F-16 Escorts Jet Back to L.A. After Passenger Threat
Two Air Force jet fighters escorted an airliner back to the Los Angeles airport after a passenger allegedly uttered an anti-American threat during a confrontation with flight attendants.
The man became verbally abusive Thursday after he was caught smoking in the bathroom aboard Air Canada Flight 792 to Toronto, said airline spokeswoman Nicole Couture-Simard.
The confrontation was resolved without further incident, but the pilot chose to return the plane to Los Angeles International Airport as a precautionary measure, she said. Two F-16s escorted the plane back to the airport, and passengers were booked on the next flight.
The passenger, Javid Naghani, was taken into custody by federal agents but was not immediately charged with a crime. Naghani, an Iranian national who lives in Los Angeles, was to appear before a federal magistrate Friday.
Another man was questioned as a material witness, said Nancy Castles, an airport spokeswoman.
Naghani's wife, Rosa Hinojos, was questioned and released.
The F-16s that escorted the plane were likely responding to a Federal Aviation Administration request after the Air Canada pilot notified the FAA, said Castles.
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