Man makes bomb threat after missing boarding at Pittsburgh International Airport

Man who made threat after missing boarding arrested.

 

A man was charged with making a bomb threat at Pittsburgh International Airport on Wednesday.

 

Allegheny County police said Hossein Dehnavifard, a 37-year-old Iranian national, was arrested after he allegedly claimed to be carrying a bomb in his luggage after he was refused to board his American Airlines flight.

 

Dehnavifard was subsequently arrested and now faces charges of terroristic threats and a threat to use weapons of mass destruction, the police department said in a statement. He may also face a hefty civil penalty for disrupting airport operations.

 

“The threat was made after he was not allowed to board the aircraft due to being late,” police said in a release. “The threat was heard by two airline workers who each confirmed what the man stated.”

 

Police said more than 100 passengers on flight AA1862 were deboarded and the B-concourse was partially closed.

 

No explosives were found in his possession, authorities confirmed.

 

“The aircraft was searched by Allegheny County Police officers and FBI agents. The Allegheny County Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team and EOD K-9 handlers utilized police K-9s trained in the detection of explosive odor as well as x-ray machines to search the aircraft and luggage on board,” Allegheny County police said.

 

“Officers did not locate a threat on the aircraft or luggage, including the two checked bags belonging to Dehnavifard.”

 

The FBI and the Transportation Security Administration have joined in the investigation.

 

In a statement, American Airlines said, “Prior to departure, American Airlines Flight 1862 was met by law enforcement due to a possible security issue.”