American Airlines Flight 954 returned to Buenos Aires after mysterious banging noises were heard from the cargo hold, sparking security fears.
On 31st October, passengers aboard American Airlines Flight 954 faced a tense and unusual situation when a series of mysterious banging noises began echoing from the cargo hold shortly after take-off. The flight, en route from Buenos Aires to New York, was abruptly turned back to Buenos Aires after the sounds raised fears of a potential security threat.
As the plane ascended to 30,000 feet, passengers and crew alike grew increasingly concerned, with many speculating about the possibility of an intruder or another serious issue within the sealed compartment. In response to the escalating alarm, the pilot opted to initiate an emergency return to Buenos Aires International Airport.
Upon landing, the aircraft was met by heavily armed police and specialised tactical teams, who immediately secured the area and conducted a thorough search of the cargo hold. In a statement to The Metro, the airport’s security noted, “Noises were heard in the cargo hold, enough to give rise to suspicions that there was something unusual. The captain referred to a security problem due to hearing noises.”
Initial rumours pointed to the possibility of a ground worker being accidentally trapped in the cargo area during the loading process. This theory circulated widely, fuelling speculation as authorities continued to investigate.
American airlines denies human presence, attributes issue to technical glitch
American Airlines, however, soon released a statement denying that any person had been trapped in the cargo hold. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the airline clarified, “Reports of a person in cargo are not accurate. Flight 954 returned to Buenos Aires due to a reported noise in the cargo hold, but after a thorough search, it was determined there was no issue. Our customers will be re-departing later today, and we apologise for the inconvenience.”
The airline’s explanation has done little to quell public curiosity. The incident, involving both the unnerving sounds and the swift emergency response, has left many questions unanswered.