Passengers on an American Eagle Embraer E175 bound from Halifax to New York LaGuardia were removed from the aircraft after boarding began before any crew members had arrived.
The flight, operated by Republic Airways, had already been boarded when the issue was discovered. All passengers were required to leave the aircraft while the crew repeated the required security inspection and cabin search before boarding could safely resume.
U.S. aviation rules require flight attendants to be onboard when passengers are present. The requirement is intended to ensure trained crew members are available to respond to emergencies, including an evacuation, even while the aircraft remains at the gate.
Because passengers had entered an aircraft that had not yet undergone the required crew security check, the aircraft had to be emptied so the inspection could be completed properly before passengers could board again.
The crew reportedly documented the incident through ACARS, the aircraft communication system used to send messages to the airline. The incident highlights the importance of following established boarding and security procedures.