Flight Returns to Houston Airport After In-Flight Disturbance

HOUSTON – An American Airlines jet returned to Bush Intercontinental Airport on Wednesday after reports of a disturbance on board, officials said.

FBI spokesman Bob Doguim said authorities were looking into the possibility someone may have tried to hijack the flight. But a government official familiar with the incident said later that there's no evidence of that.

"We do not believe there was a hijacking attempt on that flight," the official said, speaking only on condition of anonymity.

The flight, with 50 passengers, departed Houston for Dallas at 12:28 p.m. but returned to Bush Intercontinental at 1:08 p.m. after reports of a disturbance. The government official said that military jets were not scrambled to escort the plane back to Houston. Earlier reports indicted F-16 fighters had been deployed to escort the plane.

The flight's ultimate destination was Nashville, Tenn.

"The captain returned to Houston due to a potential security incident," said American spokesman Todd Burke. "We did have two federal air marshals on board. Our reports indicate the passenger involved has been removed from the aircraft."

Neither Burke nor Doguim had any more details about the disturbance on board or if any weapons were involved. No injuries were reported.