US Authorities Cite On-Board Security Threat

Imagine flying as a passenger from London to New York and getting about halfway across the pond when you realize the aircraft is turning back. Perhaps there's an announcement -- perhaps not. Now picture the reason is a passenger on board deemed a security risk. If you know you're turning back, he probably knows your turning back. Does that make this person more of a risk?

Those are the thoughts that might have been running through the minds of the crew aboard British Airways Flight 175 Wednesday, because that's exactly what happened. A passenger flying on a French transport was found to be on the US government's no-fly list. His name had been added by the TSA in December -- but nobody at Heathrow apparently got the updated list.

American authorities said the man belonged to a Moroccan terror group. Flight 175 returned to Heathrow. Passengers deplaned and the unidentified man was questioned by authorities. He was later released.

"He was never under arrest and is free to go," a London police spokesman said. "No further action will be taken."

Initially, US authorities asked that the aircraft be diverted to Bangor, ME. The BA flight crew, however, wanted to return the Boeing 747, carrying 239 passengers, to Heathrow.

At this point, there's no information on the man's name or why he's on the terror no-fly list. Nor have authorities given any reason why no one at Heathrow had the updated list in the first place.

FMI: www.tsa.gov, www.british-airways.com