MIAMI (WSVN) — The FBI has given the all clear after they investigated a suspicious item on American Airlines Flight 63 which landed at Miami International Airport.
Around 6:35 p.m., Tuesday, the FBI gave the all clear and later said in a press release that the item was a cell phone that no one had claimed. After an investigation was conducted, a passenger came forward and claimed the cell phone.
The American Airlines aircraft, a Boeing 777, took off from Charles de Gaulle Airport, in Paris, at 11:50 a.m. and landed at Miami International Airport around 3:30 p.m., Tuesday.
It was then directed to the penalty box for further investigation and the 217 passengers and 14 crew members were shuttled off the aircraft via buses.
Homeland Security was notified and the Miami-Dade Bomb Squad sent two of their units to the scene. The FBI, Homeland and Miami-Dade Police all investigated the item.
No charges were filed.
The investigation did not affect any of the other flights and, officials said, all flights came and left on time while authorities investigated.
While the investigation was being conducted, the passengers had to wait and leave their luggage and many other items on the plane.
Many passengers were unhappy about the situation but understood that it was necessary. "FBI and the police and many, many guns is not a good welcome," said passenger Huguette Aegios. "America not good welcome for French people. But I joke, I prefer that and now we are alive. It’s necessary, and we know it’s necessary because it’s dangerous. Thank you, America."
"It just felt like they were taking extra precaution, which is fair," echoed passenger Lyzbeth Lara.
Passengers were unaware of what was going on during the situation. "Not scared, but we were wondering what happened in the plane, and the phone was just behind me," said passenger Melanie Bouexiai.
"I think, under control, and then there was no panic whatsoever in the airplane, so you know, I didn’t know anything about what was happening," said passenger Miikka Nebasolo.