Plane safely diverts to central Ohio airport after pilot reports passenger made threats

Officials say a plane headed from St. Louis to Washington, D.C., was diverted to central Ohio after a pilot reported a disruptive passenger made threatening statements.

Airport spokesman David Whitaker says the United Express flight, which was bound for Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia, landed safely Thursday at Port Columbus International Airport. It was isolated while the FBI removed the 53 people on board and used dogs to search luggage.

Whitaker says no problems were found, so most people were allowed to resume their travels. He says two people interviewed by the FBI were released, and no one was immediately charged.

Whitaker said he couldn't provide further information about those people or the alleged threats.

The situation briefly disrupted airport operations, forcing another plane to divert to Dayton.