Terror Alert as ‘Unauthorised’ Man Dressed as Pilot Tries to Board Wrong Plane

A panicked airport employee immediately reported him as an “unauthorised person” in the area and the plane, which was set to fly 140 passengers, was quickly marked as a security risk.

Police and bomb squad technicians raced to the scene while the plane was towed away from its gate as officers combed the terminal for the mystery pilot.

Airport police spokesman Rob Pedregon sad the flight’s baggage was also put through additional security screening at Los Angeles Airport.

After investigating, police concluded the off-duty pilot was simply trying to board the wrong plane.

Investigators said the off-duty pilot – who was still in uniform – was due to fly as a passenger on the towed JetBlue Flight 24 plane before deciding to take a later Virgin America flight back to JFK airport instead.

Mr Pedregon said police were working to confirm how the misunderstanding occurred.

Airline spokesman Morgan Johnston said around 140 passengers were cleared to board while the plane made a late departure.

An FBI spokeswoman in Los Angeles said agents were seeking to interview the off-duty pilot once he arrived in New York.

Credit: Aviation Figure