Albuquerque –
Just before 3:40 PM, Albuquerque Fire Rescue was dispatched to the vicinity of 3000 Girard Blvd SE for a suspicious package on a plane.
At this time, details are limited. We heard AFR arrive on scene and report that a white powder was allegedly found on the plane inside a panel. It is unknown who initially found the white powder. Some sort of suspicious device was also purportedly found.
Due to the discovery of powdery substance and the suspicious device, all passengers were reportedly evacuated from the plane. The plane was moved to a dirt lot to keep it away from the gate. HAZMAT is now responding.
APD’s bomb unit and APD narcotics detectives are also on scene. Once the area is deemed safe, detective will conduct an investigation.
The plane involved is supposedly a Spirit Airlines plane. It was traveling from Albuquerque to LAX.
To reiterate, there are no passengers onboard the plane.
If we learn more about this, we will update you.
UPDATE:
The suspected device has been safely cleared, and there is no longer a threat.
UPDATE 2:
APD bomb unit officers and narcotics detectives determined the substance found in an airplane cargo bay is not dangerous. The substance was determined to be a health supplement.
The airport is safe and all operations are returning to normal.
This flight (Spirit Airlines plane N718NK – Flight NKS3001 / NK3001) ultimately took off from the ABQ Sunport at 10:52PM MDT and arrived in LAX at 11:23PM PDT. It was 8 hours 51 minutes late.
You can see the travel history of this plane here: https://www.flightaware.com/live/flight/N718NK/history/20241014/2000Z/KABQ/KLAX
