Flight Scare Above O'Hare

Air Force fighter planes were sent to escort an American Airlines jetliner Monday after a passenger tried to enter the cockpit of the plane, officials said.

Officials said the incident was not an act of terrorism, just a random act by a suspect. The jetliner landed without incident at O'Hare International Airport this afternoon, officials said.

A young adult, described later by his father as having history of mental illness, was subdued aboard Flight 1238 from Los Angeles to Chicago after trying to get into the cockpit, said FBI spokesman Ross Rice.

"The boy decides to join the captain in the cockpit," said Rice. "The captain radios the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and says there is a hijacking."

Rice said the Air Force immediately scrambled two "F-16s to intercept the plane." The fighter jets escorted the plane to O'Hare.

The captain of the Boeing 767, was carrying a crew of nine and 153 passengers, declared an emergency, an American spokeswoman said.

The plane landed at O'Hare at 4:16 EST and was met by US Marshals, Chicago Transit Police and the FBI.

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