American Airlines flight forced to make emergency landing after passenger 'threatens to blow up plane'

Peter Stevens
Fri, 03 Apr 2026 02:17:35 +0000

An American Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger allegedly threatened to blow up the plane.

Jason Douglas Pazol is accused of causing a mid-air scare on a Chicago-bound flight, which was diverted to Detroit on March 29.

According to court documents, he told passengers: "I swear to God, I am going to do something terrible."

The aircraft, carrying around 150 passengers and crew, had departed from New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport before being rerouted to Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

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All passengers were safely removed from the plane, and authorities later confirmed there was no evidence of any explosive device.

Travellers and crew were re-screened, with the passenger found not to be carrying any weapons.

According to a federal complaint, Mr Pazol was experiencing a breakdown linked to medication issues during flight 2819.

He later told authorities he made the outburst because he was "f****** sick".

Mr Pazol said: "I know why people say, 'Get this f****** plane on the ground,' and 'blow it up,' because that's what people do to get planes landed.

"Not because I want the plane landed, but because I am f****** sick."

He also told investigators he believed other passengers were not safe and that the aircraft needed to land to avoid harm.

Video footage from the flight reportedly showed Mr Pazol sitting with his head in his hands while another passenger spoke to crew about his medication.

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He has been charged with conveying false or misleading information.

US Magistrate Judge Elizabeth Stafford signed the criminal complaint on March 31 at the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

His attorneys told CBS: "The incident should be viewed no differently from a physical emergency.

"[Pazol] is currently receiving mental health treatment and is essentially allowing the medication to work its way through his system.

"Jason has no criminal history or mental health problems.

"He is a long time and well loved schoolteacher, husband and father.

"The prosecutor will allow him to receive treatment and will explore a resolution that considers the unique circumstances."