Knife Found on Plane, Flight Delayed 3 hours

FINDLAY - A US Airways flight bound for Charlotte, N.C. was delayed for more than three hours Sunday night after a passenger found a small knife on the floor under the seat in front of him, an airline spokesman said.

Flight 1897 was scheduled to leave at 7:35 p.m. The pilot declared the plane, a 737-400, a "threatened aircraft," shortly after pushing away from the gate, airport spokeswoman JoAnn Jenny said.

The plane returned to the gate, where the 142 passengers were taken off the plane to be screened again. The plane also was re-checked.

The flight had a five-member crew - two pilots and three flight attendants - who had worked their maximum amount of time for the day, said US Airways spokesman Phil Gee. The flight was expected to leave between 10:30 and 11 p.m. after another crew was brought in. The flight to Charlotte normally takes 85 minutes.

Federal transportation authorities and Allegheny County police were investigating.