The musicians of Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

By Jillian Pikora From Daily Voice

A possible security threat triggered a major police response to a plane carrying members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra after it landed at Pittsburgh International Airport on Thursday morning, Dec. 4, multiple media outlets are reporting. 

A note considered “potentially threatening” was found inside the terminal before officers traced it to a Sun Country Airlines flight arriving from New York City, police said at the airport.

The plane had just returned from the orchestra’s sold-out Carnegie Hall performance when officers boarded the aircraft and ordered everyone to evacuate, according to Keene Carter, senior manager of communications for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's statement to WTAE.

Carter said passengers were told to leave all belongings behind as they exited onto waiting buses on the tarmac, attributing the directive to Allegheny County Police.

The Bomb Squad swept the cabin, luggage area, and cargo hold “out of an abundance of caution” before clearing the plane and passengers, police told the press.

Investigators later determined the note was not threatening in nature, and airport operations were never affected, Bob Kerlik, Director of Public Affairs for the Allegheny County Airport Authority, told WPXI.

“We are grateful to the authorities for their swift response and professionalism,” Carter said in a statement.

The orchestra, staff, donors, and board members who were on the plane are all safe, the Pittsburgh Symphony confirmed to KDKA.