Threat written on jet’s mirror forces Continental flight from Houston to DC area to land in NC

Threat diverts Continental flight to NC landing

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A Continental Express flight from Houston to the Washington area was diverted to North Carolina on Wednesday after a threatening message was written on a bathroom mirror, the Transportation Security Administration said.

Flight 3006, operated by regional carrier ExpressJet for Continental Airlines Inc., was headed for Dulles International Airport in Virginia when it was directed to land at Piedmont Triad International Airport near Greensboro “out of an abundance of caution,” the TSA said.

The plane was met by law enforcement officers after taxiing to a remote area of the airfield.

The Embraer 145 regional jet carried 45 passengers and three crew members, Continental and ExpressJet said. The plane landed without incident, the airlines and Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Arlene Salac said.

FBI agents and local police were on the scene of the parked jet and information about arrests or whether passengers were questioned would come from those agencies, TSA spokesman Greg Soule said. An FBI spokeswoman in Charlotte did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

“Continental and ExpressJet are cooperating with local authorities,” Continental spokeswoman Christen David said.