A Duluth man made a threat while on a commercial flight from Colorado to Alaska, prompting the pilot to divert the flight to Vancouver, B.C., authorities in Canada said.
Nicholas M. Aliksyuk, 54, was arrested Saturday and remains in custody on suspicion of uttering threats and mischief to property, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in Richmond, B.C.
The United Airlines jetliner arrived about 4 a.m. at Vancouver International Airport because of "a security concern originating onboard," said RCMP Cpl. Dennis Hwang.
Hwang said the act "appears to be an isolated incident," but he declined to be more specific. CNN reported that a "threatening message" was found on the Boeing 737.
There were 131 passengers and six crew members on the airliner at the time. The passengers were escorted from the flight and made other travel arrangements, Hwang said.
Court records in Minnesota show that Aliksyuk has been the subject of civil commitment proceedings spanning several years for mental health concerns.
