FBI in Utah questioning Delta passenger who reportedly had mining chemicals in checked bag

Passenger kicked off flight in Utah, questioned

SALT LAKE CITY — The FBI says it has questioned and released a mining executive who was removed from a New York City-bound flight in Salt Lake City because he reportedly had chemicals in his checked baggage.

The man told authorities the chemicals were commonly used in the mining industry to determine the metal content of ore. He was asked to get off the flight Thursday morning before it departed. His chemicals were confiscated.

FBI spokeswoman Debbie Dujanovic Bertram says FBI agents closed the case by determining no laws were broken.

Salt Lake City International Airport spokeswoman Barbara Gann says Delta Air Lines and airport police were concerned that the chemicals might be explosive.

The man’s name was not released. No flights were delayed because of the incident.