Passenger Removed from Second Flight in Two Days

Passenger starts journey in Las Vegas, bound for Charlotte, but ends up in Kansas City

For the second time in as many days, the same man caused a flight to be diverted after he reportedly tried to exit the planes during flight.

The unidentified man's journey began Monday in Las Vegas. He was on US Airways flight 390 to Charlotte when officials said the man tried to "exit for a smoke." Officials said he was shaking the seat in front of him and may have tried to light a cigarette.

That plane was diverted to Albuquerque, and the man was detained by authorities. Albuquerque International Sunport Airport spokesman Dan Jiron said the passenger was interviewed and checked out by paramedics and was not deemed a threat.

On Tuesday morning, he boarded a second plane, American Eagle 3172, from Albuquerque to Chicago.

The flight was diverted to Kansas City and landed just before 11:30 a.m. when the same man tried to exit the aircraft during flight, American Airlines spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan told NBC Chicago.

The passenger was again removed from the plane, a Bombardier CRJ-700, and detained by authorities.

Flight 3172 then re-departed from Kansas City at 12:30 p.m., landing at O'Hare International Airport just before 2 p.m., said Fagan.

There were 63 passengers and four crew members on board, said Fagan.

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