Passenger tries to get into jetliner cockpit

CHICAGO (AP) -- Air Force fighter planes were sent to escort an American Airlines jetliner Monday after a passenger tried to enter the cockpit of the plane, officials said.

Officials said the incident was not an act of terrorism, just a random act by a suspect. The jetliner landed without incident at O'Hare International Airport this afternoon, officials said.

A young adult, described later by his father as having history of mental illness, was subdued aboard Flight 1238 from Los Angeles to Chicago after trying to get into the cockpit, said FBI spokesman Ross Rice.

The captain of the Boeing 767, was carrying a crew of nine and 153 passengers, declared an emergency, an American spokeswoman said.

F-16 flight planes were dispatched to escort the plane, Chicago Aviation Department spokeswoman Monique Bond.

The jetliner landed without incident at O'Hare International Airport this afternoon, officials said.