A diplomat who works at Qatar’s embassy in Washington has been taken into custody after possibly trying to ignite something on a flight from Washington to Denver, a source told Fox News.
The source said it does not appear the man, identified as Mohammed al Modadi, was trying to light an explosive substance or explosive device. Instead, the source said, the suspect may have been trying to light something aboard United Airlines Flight 663 in an attempt to cover up another smell.
Authorities have not made final conclusions about the incident and continue to investigate, the source said.
The Transportation Security Administration said in a statement that it was “monitoring an incident” after receiving “initial reports that a Federal Air Marshal responded to a passenger possibly causing a disturbance on board this aircraft.”
Two F-16 fighters intercepted the Denver-bound aircraft at about 8:45pm ET, according to a statement from the North American Aerospace Defense Command. The flight landed safely in Denver about five minutes later, according to TSA and NORAD.
Law enforcement officials are still on the scene, and “all steps are being taken to ensure that safety of the traveling public,” according to the TSA.
It’s unclear whether the man in custody will face any charges.