Unruly passengers prompt diversion of Southwest flight

PROVIDENCE, R.I. A Southwest Airlines flight from Orlando to Providence made an unscheduled stop in South Carolina.

Southwest spokeswoman Whitney Eichinger says that flight 3814 made an emergency landing at Charleston International Airport Tuesday night after what she called a misunderstanding between a flight attendant and a passenger over where to put a piece of luggage.

She says that man and two people he was traveling with were removed from the plane and questioned by authorities. No charges were filed.

The Charleston County Aviation Authority told CBS Charleston affiliate WCSC-TV the aircraft declared an emergency because the three passengers were disruptive, unruly and failed to listen to the flight crew.

The plane, carrying 134 passengers and five crew members, was allowed to continue on to Providence, where it landed about two hours later than scheduled.

Aviation Authority police, the FBI and Federal Air Marshal Service responded to the scene, WCSC-TV reported.

Eichinger says the passengers who were taken off the plane are being put on another flight to Rhode Island today.