
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 9, 1990                   TAG: 9003092090
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Short

NO BOMB THREAT MADE, LAWYER SAYS

A lawyer for the couple accused of making a bomb threat that forced the emergency landing of a USAir jet earlier this week says the incident was caused by miscommunication.

Andrew Sebok said Wednesday that Dimitris Lyras, 31, and his wife, Elisabeth, 29, - a London couple of Greek descent - intended no harm when they asked about a USAir DC-9 bound for New York. An airline clerk told the couple the plane was leaving with their luggage aboard, Sebok said.

The assistant U.S. attorney in Norfolk decided not to file charges against the Lyrases, authorities said.

"In Europe, security rules forbid that, because that is the most likely way a terrorist would check the baggage," Sebok said.

"The problem is they have a noticeable accent, and that had an effect on what the airport personnel heard," he said.

Susan Young, a USAir spokeswoman, said, "I'm not going to get into a point-by-point discussion. There was an allusion to a bomb being on board an aircraft. When we hear anything of that nature, we obviously contact authorities."

The flight was called back to Norfolk International Airport two minutes after takeoff Monday afternoon. The plane, landed without incident. No bomb was found, and the flight continued about three hours behind schedule.

- Associated Press

by CNB