Suspicious device grounds flights at airport near Penn State University, sending passengers to campus
All flights were grounded at the University Park Airport in Pennsylvania and about 100 passengers were bused to the nearby Penn State University campus on Friday as authorities investigated a suspicious device found in a checked bag, officials said.The airport in State College, located less than five miles from the campus, was closed to air traffic and passengers while an explosives device team and local police examined the contents of the bag, which was checked on a flight en route to Chicago, Penn State University Police and Public Safety said in a statement.Later Friday night, FBI officials confirmed on Twitter that there were no hazardous items identified in the bag and that the scene was being cleared. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued a ground stop for the airport “due to security.” The airport closure took place as Penn State students were gearing up for their Spring Break travel plans next week. Buses from the university came to the airport to transport about 100 passengers to the campus, where they were offered shelter and given food, according to police.The University Park Airport calls itself “a home town airport with a world of destinations,” according to its Facebook page. It says four airlines — Allegiant, Delta, United, and American airlines — offer regularly scheduled flights to and from major hub cities including Detroit, Philadelphia and Washington/Dulles.Earlier in the day, the general passenger terminal at the airport was evacuated “out of an abundance of caution,” police said. There were no incoming or outgoing flights scheduled when the evacuation took place.The investigation at the airport came just days after federal agents arrested a Pennsylvania man after he allegedly tried to bring explosives in his suitcase on a flight from Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown to Florida.Marc Muffley, 40, faces two charges, according to a federal complaint, including possession of an explosive in an airport and possessing or attempting to place an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.
All flights were grounded at the University Park Airport in Pennsylvania and about 100 passengers were bused to the nearby Penn State University campus on Friday as authorities investigated a suspicious device found in a checked bag, officials said.
The airport in State College, located less than five miles from the campus, was closed to air traffic and passengers while an explosives device team and local police examined the contents of the bag, which was checked on a flight en route to Chicago, Penn State University Police and Public Safety said in a statement.
Later Friday night, FBI officials confirmed on Twitter that there were no hazardous items identified in the bag and that the scene was being cleared.
The Federal Aviation Administration had issued a ground stop for the airport “due to security.”
The airport closure took place as Penn State students were gearing up for their Spring Break travel plans next week. Buses from the university came to the airport to transport about 100 passengers to the campus, where they were offered shelter and given food, according to police.
The University Park Airport calls itself “a home town airport with a world of destinations,” according to its Facebook page. It says four airlines — Allegiant, Delta, United, and American airlines — offer regularly scheduled flights to and from major hub cities including Detroit, Philadelphia and Washington/Dulles.
Earlier in the day, the general passenger terminal at the airport was evacuated “out of an abundance of caution,” police said. There were no incoming or outgoing flights scheduled when the evacuation took place.
The investigation at the airport came just days after federal agents arrested a Pennsylvania man after he allegedly tried to bring explosives in his suitcase on a flight from Lehigh Valley International Airport in Allentown to Florida.
Marc Muffley, 40, faces two charges, according to a federal complaint, including possession of an explosive in an airport and possessing or attempting to place an explosive or incendiary device on an aircraft.
