Crime & Safety
Charlotte Flight Diverted After Passenger Bypassed Security
The former Piedmont Airlines employee was arrested after the American Airlines flight to Mexico returned to the airport, CMPD said.
CHARLOTTE, NC — A plane headed to Cancun, Mexico was diverted back to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Tuesday evening after it was discovered that a former airline worker who was a ticketed passenger on the plane entered the terminal area without authorization, Charlotte police said.
Narada Wilson, 40, was arrested following the June 8 incident and charged with trespass upon airport property. Wilson is a former Piedmont Airlines employee, police said.
CMPD Airport Division officers responded to the terminal after a report was made that Wilson entered the passenger terminal area without authorization and had boarded American Airlines Flight 881 to Cancun, Mexico with a valid boarding pass.
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SEE ALSO: Surge In Travel Leads To TSA Logjams At Charlotte-Douglas Airport
Airport officials said Wilson entered the terminal without going through airport security, WSOC reported.
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"Upon learning this information, the flight crew was promptly notified, and the flight was diverted back to Charlotte," CMPD said. "After the plane landed, Wilson was arrested by Airport Division officers without incident."
The flight continued on its route after it was inspected by airport police and K9s, CMPD said.
Wilson may face additional charges. "CMPD is assisting U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Bureau of Investigation: Joint Terrorism Task Force as they review possible federal charges for this incident," it said.
CMPD said anyone with information about this case is asked to call 911, or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.
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