From Reuters

Flatulent passenger grounds flight

Wed Dec 6, 2006 2:20 PM ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec 6 (Reuters Life!) - It may be one problem airline security officials never envisioned -- a passenger lighting matches in flight to mask odors from her flatulence.

The woman's actions resulted in an emergency landing on Monday in Nashville of an American Airlines flight bound for Dallas from Washington, D.C., said Lynne Lowrance, a spokeswoman for Nashville's airport.

Other passengers reported the odor of burned matches, but the woman was not forthcoming when asked about it, Lowrance said on Wednesday.

"Of course, she was scared and embarrassed but all the passengers had to disembark, all the luggage had to be searched, a canine team was brought in, and about three hours were consumed in sorting out the situation," she said.

The woman was not allowed back on the flight and barred from flying on American Airlines, Lowrance said.

"Since there was no malice involved and the incident was accidental, she was not charged with anything," she said.

Passengers are permitted four books of paper safety matches on a plane but cannot light them during flight, Lowrance said.

"I've had calls from people all over the country about this," she said. "And I don't have the answer to this problem."

Edited December 6, 200619 yr by Chang_paarp

That's strange as most American women don't keep their mouths shut long enough to build up enough pressure to fart! LOL :-]

But that must have been one wicked fart... should have saved it for an elevator, but then again, that might result in manslaughter charges.

Passengers are permitted four books of paper safety matches on a plane but cannot light them during flight, Lowrance said.

4..................... why would anyone need 4 books of matches ?

Passengers are permitted four books of paper safety matches on a plane but cannot light them during flight, Lowrance said.

4..................... why would anyone need 4 books of matches ?

perhaps to light their farts to avoid the smell after eating a tin of baked beans

Bizarre!?!