LOS ANGELES, June 23 (UPI) -- A Delta flight operated by Compass Airlines traveling from San Antonio to Los Angeles was escorted by two F-16 fighter jets and diverted to Arizona after a passenger confrontation with the flight crew.
The plane was carrying 80 people including passengers and crew when it landed at Tucson International Airport. The Tucson Airport Authority Police told ABC News a uniformed officer handcuffed the suspect and escorted the person off the plane, along with an FBI agent due to the "verbal disturbance."
The FBI's Phoenix office said the incident was not a threat to public safety, adding it had launched an investigation.
Ryan Healy, a witness who was aboard the plane, said an unidentified passenger "was just aimlessly walking" and at one point stopped near the cockpit door.
Andrea Constantini, another passenger, said the man was asked to go back to his seat several times by flight crew, but he did not comply.
"Everybody started getting a little nervous and uncomfortable," Constantini said. Another witness said the suspect was slurring his words.
"There was an incident on a flight that was diverted to Tucson Airport. One suspect detained at this time," the Tucson Airport tweeted. "Aircraft deemed safe. Passengers are currently being re-screened. They will then continue on to their final destination."
The passengers arrived in Los Angeles early Thursday.
