American Airlines Flight Unloaded Over Unruly Passenger

An American Airlines flight from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Guatemala was delayed Monday afternoon.

The airport said that the taxiing Flight 2137 returned to the gate because of a disruptive passenger who was removed from the flight.

American Airlines spokeswoman Andrea Huguely said the passenger wanted to deplane after he said there was an issue with his bag.

Witnesses on the flight heard the man screaming in Spanish: "I want to get off the plane," and "I want my backpack."

The man continued saying "there is a bomb," and "you don't understand," in both Spanish and English, according to a passenger on board the flight.

The man was taken off the Boeing 737-800 in handcuffs by DFW Airport police while his bags were removed from the plane.

DFW Airport said in a statement that the 23-year-old Guatemalan citizen was detained and would be questioned by federal authorities.

The entire flight was unloaded as a precaution and Transportation Security Administration agents are rescreening passengers at the gate as they re-enter the plane.

The flight was originally scheduled to depart for Guatemala City, Guatemala, at 4:55 p.m. Passengers boarded the aircraft again at about 7:20 p.m., and the flight was scheduled to depart at about 8 p.m.

DFW Airport said Flight 2137 had 150 passengers and a crew of six.

NBC 5's Kevin Cokely also contributed to this report.

Contact Us