‘Hoax’ security threat diverts US Airways flight

A US Airways flight bound for Dallas was diverted back to Philadelphia after an anonymous tip that there were liquid explosives on board, reports the LA Times. 

Police said the security threat was the result of "a pretty nasty trick played on a passenger," according to NBC News.

Reuters reports that authorities evacuated and searched the plane after it arrived back in Philadelphia and found no explosives. Police later determined the call was a prank played on a passenger.

The alleged victim of the hoax is a man in his 20's who was taken off the plane and questioned. NBC reports that hoax may have been planned because today is the man's birthday. Someone allegedly called Philadelphia police and claimed he was trying to "smuggle" something to Texas.

"There was no emergency. There was a threat, but that threat was unfounded," Philadelphia Police Inspector Joe Sullivan told Reuters. 

"That flight was never in any danger. And I just want to stress right now that the male that was briefly taken in for investigation has committed no crime… This is an ongoing investigation, but at this time all indications are that this was a hoax."

NBC reports that the hoax cost the airline "upwards of tens of thousands of dollars in direct and indirect costs". Sixty-nine passengers were on the Airbus A319, and were being rebooked on other flights.