VERO BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — What started as a routine flight to the Treasure Coast quickly turned tense for passengers aboard a JetBlue plane from Boston.
Cellphone video obtained by CBS12 News shows law enforcement deputies walking down the aisle of the aircraft with a bomb-sniffing dog, as passengers remained in their seats waiting to find out what was happening.
According to the Vero Beach Police Department (VBPD), airport police were notified the morning of March 14 by law enforcement in Boston, Massachusetts, about a bomb threat involving a JetBlue flight traveling from Logan International Airport to Vero Beach Regional Airport.
The plane landed safely in Vero Beach, but instead of pulling up to the terminal, it was directed to a location north of the airport terminal while authorities investigated.
Video from inside the aircraft shows the bomb search being conducted by K9 Odie of the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO), handled by K-9 Deputy Steve Wise, as authorities moved through the cabin checking for potential threats.
Cellphone video obtained by the CBS12 News team shows law enforcement officers walking down the aisle of the aircraft with a bomb-sniffing dog — as passengers remained in their seats waiting to find out what was happening. (WPEC)
Passengers remained on board while the aircraft was searched.
Authorities also removed luggage from the plane and searched it separately using a bomb detection dog.
At one point, an officer addressed passengers over the plane’s intercom.
“There is a law enforcement issue. We’re going to bring a canine on board to do a sniff,” the officer told passengers.
Later, passengers were told the reason for the investigation.
“Actually, a bomb threat for this airplane. Not a very viable one, but there was one,” the officer said.
Passengers say the moment the announcement was made, the mood inside the cabin changed instantly.
Tommy Dempsey, a South End, Massachusetts resident who was traveling with his son Kayden, told CBS News the reaction inside the plane was immediate.
“When they said that the plane went silent,” Dempsey said.
Kayden Dempsey described the experience as frightening.
“I was scared out of my mind. I didn’t know what was going on. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life,” he said.
He added that the situation was not exactly the start to spring break they expected.
“It’s definitely not the greatest start to our spring break vacation.”
According to the Vero Beach Police Department, airport police were notified the morning of March 14 by law enforcement in Boston, Massachusetts, about a bomb threat involving a JetBlue flight traveling from Logan International Airport to Vero Beach Regional Airport. (CBS12 News)
Once the search was completed, police said the aircraft was cleared and determined to be safe. The plane was then allowed to taxi to the terminal so passengers could disembark.
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The response involved multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office (SLCSO), Indian River County Sheriff’s Office (IRCSO), Indian River County Fire Rescue (IRCFR), and Vero Beach airport operations staff.
The flight is part of JetBlue’s newer daily route connecting Boston and Vero Beach, which launched in December.
Authorities say the bomb threat investigation is ongoing.