FBI says no charges will be filed after hijacking prank on flight into OIA

ORLANDO, Fla. — Investigators said a prank caused a hijacking scare on an inbound flight to Orlando from Seattle on Sunday.

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“We were pulling in and the captain of the intercom let us know that there was a noncredible threat,” said Logan D’Amato, a passenger.

Sources tell Eyewitness News that a 10-year-old used AirDrop to wirelessly send a threat that the plane was hijacked.

“I’ve never seen a threat from a 10-year-old, unless it was something where they weren’t getting their ice cream with the dinner,” said retired pilot Rich Owen.

READ: Child’s prank causes hijacking scare on Seattle flight landing in Orlando, sources say

The FBI said Monday that no charges will be filed in the case.

The minimum age for federal crimes that usually apply to planes is 11 years old.

“Every threat that you get on board an aircraft, you have to treat as a serious issue,” Owens said.

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Alaska Airlines sent Channel 9 the following statement:

“After Alaska Airlines flight 16 from Seattle landed in Orlando, it parked remotely because of a potential threat that was later deemed non-credible. Police boarded and cleared the aircraft. The plane continued to its gate and passengers deplaned as normal. We take safety seriously and we apologize for the inconvenience for our guests.”

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