"New Mexico Airport Metal Detector Fails"

Monday, April 1, 2002

N.M. Airport Metal Detector Fails
The Associated Press


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A malfunctioning metal detector failed to catch
a man carrying a hunting knife, and airport officials said they had no
idea how long the machine had not been working.

The metal detector was improperly calibrated at a setting too low to
pick up the knife Sunday, said John Clabes of the Transportation
Security Administration.

Clabes said there was no evidence the error was anything more than a
mistake, but investigators would look into the matter.

The man wore the knife in plain sight on his belt and was stopped at a
Southwest Airlines gate, officials said.

Some 800 to 1,200 passengers had to be re-screened after the incident,
causing delays, airport spokeswoman Maggie Santiago said. Passengers who
had already boarded at least one plane were sent for a second screening,
and those on flights that had already taken off were re-screened upon
arrival.

The man with the knife was questioned and released, Santiago said.

``We are kind of calling it an innocent breach of security. They
determined no criminal intent,'' Santiago said.


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