A high school student from Pennsylvania caused panic on an airplane. He was able to accomplish this by using his iPhone.
The Texas Department of Public Safety reported that on February 17, passengers on American Airlines Flight 2051 heading for Chicago received an Airdrop request from a sender named “I have a bomb” while taxiing at El Paso International Airport.
The plane returned to the gate to deal with the problem.
Apple users can utilize the iPhone’s Airdrop technology to transfer files to other iPhone (and iPad or MacBook) users within 30 feet. This requires no internet connection.
Following an inquiry and extensive search by the FBI West Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force, a teenager, who has not been named, was identified as the perpetrator. The threat was deemed “non-credible.” The plane carried 125 passengers.
The teenager, who admitted to his risky stunt, is being held by the El Paso Juvenile Probation Department. He is charged with one count of making a false report or alarm. In Texas, this is considered a felony.
According to reports, the student attends Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. He was among a group of young people returning home to Texas from a humanitarian mission. According to Brian Cook, the school’s head of communications and marketing, the case is still “developing” and the perpetrator is a juvenile.
Another reckless flight-related incident occurred recently when 59-year-old Ajmeer Bhadraiah attempted to stall a plane’s takeoff because he was late at the gate. The Indian army engineer was charged with intimidation and violating the Aircraft Act.