The scene, which took place on Thursday evening at Buenos Aires airport, was surprising. Members of the Argentine law enforcement agencies are hoisted onto a platform to reach the height of the baggage hold of a plane, still full of passengers, on the tarmac. The intervention team, shields, weapons and lamps in hand, enters the hold in an assault column.
The AA954 plane, which left the Argentine capital around 9:20 p.m. on Thursday and was bound for New York, had to turn around shortly after takeoff, as reported by the Argentine media Clarin. The cause was “strange” noises, heard by passengers and crew, coming from the hold of the plane.
Fearing that someone was accidentally trapped there, the pilot decided to turn around and land urgently at his original airport. There, a specialized team from the Airport Security Police inspected the aircraft, while the passengers were still in their seats. The Special Tactical Assault Group (GEAT), the Explosives and Special Weapons Control Group (GEDEX) as well as a dog team were also deployed.
Ultimately, nothing suspicious was discovered. But the flight had to be canceled before being rescheduled by American Airlines.
During this time, the flight attendants first warned the passengers of a “problem”, before mentioning the possible presence of a person locked in the hold. But, as Clarin reports, many complained about the lack of information during this mysterious episode, which took place… on Halloween.
