Adult Diaper Is The ‘Bomb’ That Delayed International Flight To Tampa

TAMPA, FL — An adult diaper delayed an international flight bound for Tampa, Florida, for about 4 1/2 hours Friday, and the mystery surrounding it prompted an emergency search of a Copa Airlines Boeing 737-800 aircraft by an anti-explosives team.

The 9:36 a.m. Copa Airlines flight out of Panama City’s Tocumen International Airport had been in the air for about an hour when a black plastic bag was discovered in one of the aircraft’s restrooms, prompting a bomb scare.

The aircraft was ordered returned to the airport and to a solitary tarmac, where the 144 passengers were evacuated.

To their relief, the plastic bag wasn’t concealing explosives, but a disposable adult diaper, Panama’s Civil Aeronautics Authority said on the social media platform X.

“We had it on a secure runway where police special explosives canine units and special forces examined the object, and found it to be an adult diaper, ruling out any risk,” José Castro, the head of the airport’s security team, told The Associated Express.

The plane, which had arrived back in Panama City around 10:59 local time, was given the all-clear for takeoff around 2 p.m., finally arriving in Tampa at about 7 p.m.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.