Navy Sailor allegedly makes false bomb report onboard a Hawaiian Airlines flight

Electronics Technician 2nd Class John Stea told a flight attendant that the passenger sitting next to him had a bomb. The flight attendant passed this information to the captain. The captain received this information as the aircraft was pulling away from the jetway in preparation to fly from San Diego to Honolulu. The captain had to move the plane to a safe location so that the passengers could be deplaned and the aircraft cleared of the alleged threat.

From Fox News:

A spokesperson for the U.S. Third Fleet told Fox News Digital, “The Navy is aware Electronics Technician 2nd Class John Stea, assigned to Maritime Expeditionary Security Group One, was arrested by San Diego Harbor Police on May 20 following an alleged bomb threat.

“The safety of the public and our personnel is of utmost importance to the Navy. We take all threats seriously and are cooperating fully with local and federal authorities,” the spokesperson added.

The Port of San Diego Harbor Police Department said its “Police Maritime Tactical Team, K-9 Team, and Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with the San Diego Fire Department and multiple federal agencies, responded to the scene to search the aircraft and its contents.”

“The plane captain had taxied to a safe location on the airfield. All 293 people onboard were deplaned and transported by bus to a safe area. K-9s cleared the aircraft including all carry-on and checked luggage,” it added.

Stea, described by police as a “member of the military,” was charged with making a false bomb threat and false report of a security threat.

Additional Reading:

Norman, G. (2025, May 21). Navy technician arrested for allegedly making false bomb threat on Hawaiian Airlines flight. Fox News. Link.

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