FBI to investigate hoax bomb threat on flight from Ireland

The FBI is investigating after a flight from Ireland was forced to land because of a hoax bomb threat.

The US Airways Flight from Shannon Airport landed in Philadelphia when a phone call in relation to the supposed threat was received.

171 passengers and crew were on board the flight at the time - they were re-screened by police authorities on the runway before the all-clear was given by authorities.

Philadelphia police officer Joseph Sullivan gave reporters this information:

"As soon as the plane arrived the homeland security unit officers began to communicate with the pilot, we have the ability to communicate from the nose gear of the plane," he said.

"We made sure the flight crew understood what was going on and what steps we were about to take

"So we had very good communication with the US air crew."