The plane heading for New York diverted to Pittsburgh instead
A plane bound for New York diverted over a “possible bomb” alert. United Airlines flight UAL2092 from Chicago was heading for the famous city on Saturday (April 18) but diverted to Pittsburgh around morning local time.
It is reported the jet issued a 7700 squawk code – a four-digit code which is used to signal an in-flight emergency, just after reaching cruising altitude. Mirror reports the 7700 alert means aircrafts are often directed to a remote stand where passengers can be deplaned and the jet searched.
Flight radar tracking shared on X showed the jet diverting mid-air due to the perceived danger. The tracker showed the plane flew off its course and headed towards Pittsburgh airport.
A flight tracking app reported the plane sent an alert declaring “‘possible bomb” as the reason for its diversion. The United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 is said to have squawked 7700 while further messages reportedly sent via ACARS, which have been shared on X, have shed further light on the emergency diversion of United Airlines flight UA2092, reports the Daily Star.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating from Chicago O’Hare to New York LaGuardia, declared an emergency after concerns were raised on board, with the aircraft later diverting to Pittsburgh International Airport for what was described as a security sweep. The most serious line in the communications, “ONE SECOND COUNT PER BEEP / POSSIBLE BOMB”, indicates the crew believed there was a potential explosive threat, possibly linked to a repetitive beeping sound or an item matching that description.
Other text suggests the flight crew and ground teams weighed diversion options, with “CLE OR PIT” referring to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport or Pittsburgh, while “KORD KLGA” identifies the original route using ICAO airport codes. A timestamp of “CREW 15:42Z / 10:42 CDT” places the exchange at around 15:42 UTC (10:42am local time in Chicago).
In incidents involving a reported “possible bomb” message, standard procedure typically includes the crew squawking 7700 to alert air traffic control to a general emergency and receiving priority handling for the quickest safe landing.
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