Passenger’s Threats Force Unscheduled Stop in Burbank

BURBANK — A passenger on a Southwest Airlines flight from San Diego to San Jose threatened crew members Tuesday and demanded “to be taken to Hollywood,” authorities said, causing the plane to land in Burbank where he was arrested.

Southwest Airlines Flight 923 was in Los Angeles airspace when one of the passengers began “acting in a threatening manner,” according to Burbank Airport spokesman Sean McCarthy.

“He said he wanted to be taken to Hollywood.”

There was no violence and no injuries, McCarthy said. The flight crew was able to calm the passenger down and the flight landed at Burbank Airport about 6:40 p.m.

The passenger, whose identity was not revealed, was taken into custody by Burbank Airport police, McCarthy said. He was questioned at the airport before being turned over to Burbank police.

After a half-hour delay, the plane departed for San Jose at 7:30 p.m.

Under federal law, those convicted of assaults or other incidents that threaten airline safety can be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.