Security experts obtained a memo that details a "dry run" by terrorists on a flight from Washington to Orlando last month, Fox News reports.
Several "Middle Eastern men" caused a commotion and appeared to be conducting a test run to gauge procedure and reaction to an in-flight threat during an incident aboard US Airways Flight 1880 from Reagan National Airport to Orlando International Airport on Sept. 2, according to the U.S. Airline Pilots Association security memo, first obtained by 10 News in Tampa, Fla.
"They are trying to pull out air marshals if they are on board, or law enforcement if they are on board," an unidentified federal air marshal told the station. "They are looking for how the crew reacts."
Four passengers were detained by local law enforcement.
Experts said the incident could be an indication of another attempt to detonate a bomb aboard an airplane while midflight. Ret. Col. Mike Pheneger, former director of intelligence at Special Operations Command, said it’s "impossible" to absolutely prevent terrorist attacks.
Rep. John Mica (R., Fla.) has called for an investigation into the incident. Federal authorities say an investigation is unnecessary.
