Jet returns to Philadelphia over hoax phone call

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia man says he is the passenger who was removed from a plane and questioned over what turned out to be a hoax threat.

Christopher Shell identified himself Thursday as the person at the center of the midair drama on a US Airways flight bound for Dallas.

Authorities say they recalled the flight to Philadelphia International Airport after receiving a tip that a named passenger was carrying a dangerous substance. They later determined the claim was untrue.

Authorities would not identify the passenger, who they say did nothing wrong.

After being contacted by The Associated Press, Shell declined to comment, other than to say he was the targeted passenger.