Passenger's Suicide Attempt Diverts Flight to Nashville

Sept. 7, 2005
A Hurricane Katrina refugee attempted suicide aboard a commercial flight bound for Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, causing the plane to be diverted and land in Nashville.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- A Hurricane Katrina refugee attempted suicide aboard a commercial flight bound for Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, causing the plane to be diverted and land in Nashville.

Capt. Robin Celatka of the 118th Airlift Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard said the flight had eight evacuees on board, along with an unknown number of commercial passengers. She had no details about the suicide attempt.

United Express flight 7565 originated in Houston and was bound for Dulles International Airport in northern Virginia but landed at the Air National Guard facility.

The passenger who attempted suicide was removed from the aircraft and taken to a hospital, said Lynne Lowrance, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Nashville International Airport Authority.

Officials said at the pilot's request the airplane was moved to the airport terminal where all the passengers underwent a second security screening.

United spokesman Jeff Green said the flight resumed and landed safely Tuesday afternoon at Dulles. He did not have details about the incident.

Airport officials referred questions about the incident to the Transportation Security Administration, which reported a male passenger cut his wrists with a small razor blade. More details were not available Tuesday evening.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press