Plane Was Diverted To Isolated Area Of The Airport With No Explanation To The PIC

A bomb threat against two airplanes en route to JFK Airport in New York City Monday led to a terse radio exchange between the Captain of an American Airlines flight and ATC.

The threat turned out to be a hoax, but had to be taken seriously. The planes, American Airlines Flight 24 and Finnair Flight 5, were diverted to a remote area of the airport and surrounded by emergency vehicles after landing. USA Today reports that the pilot of the American flight wanted to know why he was not being directed to his gate and was surrounded by emergency equipment, and was not satisfied with the answers he got from ATC.

In the exchange, ATC reportedly suggested that he call the airline's control center for information. After he tried and got no answer, the pilot was told by ATC "I don't have a thing at his moment, except that you and the aircraft beside you need to wait in that area," according to NBC New York (WNBC).

After some time had passed, the pilot gave ATC "60 seconds" to give him a reason for the situation. Controllers asked that he call for an explanation, but the pilot demanded that they answer over the radio, and with no delay.

The television station reports that the conflict was eventually resolved, but not how the information was actually given to the pilot.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.aa.com