Gun found on plane heading to Phoenix from Philly

Jun. 4, 2009 09:06 AM
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - A US Airways employee and a passenger boarding a flight to Phoenix are being questioned after authorities at Philadelphia International Airport found a handgun on the plane.

Police say someone waiting to board Flight 1195 around 7 a.m. Thursday noticed another passenger handing a carry-on bag directly to the airline employee, bypassing a security screening.

The witness alerted officials with the Transportation Security Administration.

Philadelphia police say a TSA employee boarded the plane, located the bag in an overhead compartment, and found an unloaded 9 mm handgun inside.

The plane was searched and has been grounded while federal and local authorities continue investigating.