A Qatari diplomat trying to sneak a smoke in an airplane bathroom sparked a bomb scare Wednesday night on a flight from Washington to Denver, officials said. No explosives were found on the man, and officials do not believe he was trying to harm anyone, according to the AP.
An Arab diplomat briefed on the matter identified the diplomat as Mohammed Al-Madadi.
Two law enforcement officials said investigators were told the man was asked about the smell of smoke in the bathroom and he made a joke that he had been trying to light his shoes. Officials said air marshals aboard the flight restrained the man and he was questioned. The plane landed safely as military jets were scrambled.
Hours later, the man was still being interviewed by investigators, and it was unclear what if any charges he might face.
The Boeing 757 was carrying 157 passengers and six crew members, United Airlines spokesman Michael Trevino said. It left Reagan National Airport at 5:19 p.m. EDT and landed at Denver International Airport at 7 p.m. MDT.
