American Airlines Flight Scare

Los Angeles - A passenger who allegedly lit matches and smoked in a bathroom was in federal custody today after American Airlines Flight 117 bound for Los Angeles International Airport from New York City was diverted to Albuquerque, N.M.

The passenger who smoked was taken off the plane for questioning in Albuquerque, then all the other passengers were taken off while FBI agents and bomb-sniffing dogs searched the plane, according to broadcast reports.

Flight 117 arrived at Los Angeles International Airport around 11 p.m. last night. It had been scheduled to arrive at 5:20 p.m.

Some passengers told reporters in Los Angeles that the man who was taken into custody in Albuquerque was acting strangely.