Unauthorized Man Attempts to Board Plane, Causes Flight Disruptions

Theme Building and tower of Los Angeles International Airport at dusk

Los Angeles Airport Police are seeking a man dressed as a pilot who tried to access a JetBlue aircraft Thursday morning.

Los Angeles World Airport Police are working with JetBlue to identify a man dressed as a pilot who tried to access an aircraft early Thursday morning. JetBlue Flight 24 departing from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York was subsequently delayed and screened for explosives after the individual supposedly tried to gain access to the Airbus A320.

The incident took place around 6 a.m. Pacific Time. Los Angeles ABC affiliate KABC-TV reports the individual was first noticed by a worker refueling the aircraft. The individual was standing on a jet bridge wearing blue pants, a white shirt, and a jacket with stripes.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the worker approached the would-be pilot and talked for a moment. The individual subsequently turned back to the boarding area, while the worker was informed that the pilots had not yet boarded the aircraft.

As a result, the aircraft was towed to a remote part of the airport, with checked luggage already loaded. Both airport police and the Los Angeles Police Department Bomb Squad responded to screen the aircraft and luggage for explosives. Police are now working to put together the identity of the alleged pilot.

“We don’t know who he was,” Rob Pedregon, an officer with the Los Angeles World Airport Police, told the Los Angeles Times. “We’re looking to see. He could be an employee that was mistaken.”

The aircraft was cleared by 10:15 a.m. Pacific Time, when it was subsequently towed back to the gate and passengers were allowed to board. According to FlightStats.com, B624 left the gate without further incident four hours behind schedule. Although police do not consider the incident a security breach, it remains under investigation.

Update 3:15 p.m. PT: The individual has been identified as an off-duty pilot who wanted to catch a flight to New York, according to to airport officials.

[Photo: Getty]