Mechanical problems forces Phoenix-bound plane back to McCarran; threat investigated

A commercial flight from McCarran International Airport bound for Phoenix had to return for a mechanical problem on Saturday, and police were called over a threat that was made by a passenger, officials said.

Airport spokeswoman Candice Seeley said authorities don't believe the two incidents were related.

U.S. Airways Flight 399 left the airport at 4:30 p.m., she said. Some time after that, the pilot reported a problem with one of the plane's stabilizers and decided to return. After landing at McCarran, "some sort of threat was made" by a passenger, Seeley said.

She said she didn't know the details of the threat. Las Vegas police were called and officers met the plane before it reached the terminal, and the passengers were disembarked. They were sent through security screening, then boarded another flight, she said. Seeley aid she didn't know what happened to the passenger who made the threat.

Contact reporter Lawrence Mower at lmower@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0440.