What was meant to be a solemn journey for one grieving passenger turned into an unexpected aviation scare that grounded an American Airlines flight — all because of a misinterpreted text message that read: RIP.

Flight AA1847, en route from San Juan to Dallas was forced to return to the airport just 32 minutes after takeoff on July 3, when a passenger reported seeing the concerning message on a fellow traveler’s phone. The message, which simply read Rest In Peace triggered fears of a potential threat onboard.

Unbeknownst to the reporting passenger, the recipient of the message was traveling to Dallas to assist with funeral arrangements for a relative who had died just the day before.

It was a mix-up that was handled in accordance with safety protocols said Nelman Nevarez operations director at Aerostar Airport Holdings, which manages Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan. “There was no real threat to the flight or its passengers.

After the plane landed safely back in San Juan, airport security and TSA agents conducted a full inspection of the aircraft, while both the concerned passenger and the one who received the text were questioned by Puerto Rican law enforcement.

The recipient clarified that the “RIP” message was sent by a friend or family member acknowledging their recent loss — a standard expression of condolence that was never meant to raise alarm.

According to Puerto Rico’s Office of Explosives and Public Safety, the passenger who saw the message interpreted it as a threat and reported it immediately.

The resulting confusion caused a three-and-a-half hour delay, with passengers required to remain onboard while authorities verified there was no risk. No arrests were made, and the flight was later cleared for departure.

American Airlines released a statement confirming the incident to USA TODAY, emphasizing their commitment to safety while also apologizing for the inconvenience caused.

The flight landed safely at SJU, and law enforcement inspected and cleared the aircraft to re-depart. Safety and security are our top priorities,” the airline stated.

The episode highlights how heightened alertness post-9/11 and in today’s global climate can sometimes lead to well-intentioned overreactions — even when the situation is simply the result of tragic personal circumstances.

The passenger mourning a family member’s death remained calm throughout the ordeal, cooperating fully with authorities.

As for the flight? It finally took off again around 9:40 a.m., allowing travelers to resume their journey — albeit with a story they likely won’t forget anytime soon.