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Plane given all-clear after search

By Ross Levitt and Katie Silver, CNN
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Plane searched after threat received in London
  • Airliner allowed to continue to Alaska
  • Only a legally-packed firearm was discovered

(CNN) -- An airliner was allowed to depart Philadelphia International Airport late Friday after it was searched and nothing dangerous found after a threatening note was received, according to officials.

The Anchorage, Alaska-bound US Airways was cleared for takeoff, according to airport spokeswoman Victoria Lupica.

A threat received in London prompted the search of the plane, according to a federal law enforcement official.

The threat specifically referenced the US Airways flight from Glasgow, Scotland, to Philadelphia. By the time it was received, that leg of the flight had been completed, the law enforcement official said.

The official told CNN the threat was not considered to be credible.

Shortly before departure to Alaska, when the threat was received, the 157 passengers were taken off the flight, US Airways spokesperson Liz Landau said.

"As a result of an abundance of caution, the aircraft was towed to a remote taxiway" for inspection, said Lupica.

During that inspection, a K-9 dog hit on one bag that contained a legally-packed firearm belonging to a hunter heading to Alaska, according to the law enforcement official.

Nothing else was found on the plane during inspection, Lupica said, and the plane was secured and given an all-clear at 7:39 Friday evening.