Authorities Say No Evidence Of Explosives Was Found

A bomb threat was received Friday against a Northwest Airlines Flight headed from Detroit to Atlanta. Fortunately, the airliner was still on the ground, enabling the safe deplaning of all 99 passengers and subsequent search of the plane.

The Associated Press reports NWA Flight 467 had rolled away from the gate at Detroit Metro Airport before passengers and their bags were removed, Northwest Airlines spokeswoman Michelle Aguayo Shannon said.

Scheduled to depart at 1:28 pm, the DC9-50 airliner was delayed for hours as authorities and bomb-sniffing dogs searched the plane and luggage for explosives. Transportation Safety Administration spokesman Christopher White said no bomb-like materials were found and no arrests have been made in connection with the threat.

Shannon said passengers were re-screened, and those without checked luggage were placed aboard a 5 pm flight to Atlanta. The remaining passengers were expected to leave on the original plane about 6 pm. Finally departing at 7:48 pm, Flight 467 arrived safely in Atlanta almost six hours later than scheduled, according to NWA records.

Curiously, Northwest's website notes that Flight 467 was "delayed due to non-scheduled maintenance."

FMI: www.nwa.com