Flare gun incident spooks Philly airport

Updated 4:46 PM ET

(CBS/AP) PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say someone may have shot a flare into the sky near Philadelphia International Airport as a plane was landing.

US Airways spokesman Todd Lehmacher (LEE'-mock-er) says Flight 4321 from Elmira, N.Y., landed safely on Tuesday afternoon.

Lehmacher says crew members reported seeing a possible flare as the plane came in around 1:45 p.m.

A law enforcement official tells CBS News that they are not considering this a terrorist act. Their assumption is that the flare was fired from a road along the airport.

The FAA issued a statement: "On approach to PHL, the pilot of US Airways Flight 4321, from Elmira Corning Airport (NY) Airport to Philadelphia, reported to air traffic that he saw a flare nearby, but it did not strike the aircraft. The plane landed safely on Runway 17. The FAA has notified law enforcement officials about the incident."

Philadelphia police say they received a 911 call about 2 p.m. reporting someone had shot off a flare gun at an intersection near the airport.

Officer Jillian Russell says police responded but saw nothing at the location.

Airport spokeswoman Victoria Lupica (loo-PEE'-kah) says the incident led to a 30-minute closure of one runway. The runway reopened around 2:15 p.m.

Lehmacher says the plane was carrying 34 passengers and three crew members.