An American Airlines flight bound for Guyana returned to Miami International Airport on Thursday evening after a passenger allegedly threatened a crew member shortly after take-off.

The incident occurred aboard a Boeing 737 MAX 8 as the aircraft climbed out of Miami.

"While we were climbing out, he rushed the flight attendants in the back of the aircraft," a crew member told air traffic control, according to radio transmissions.
The flight turned around minutes after departure and flew a figure-of-eight pattern before landing safely.

Air traffic control audio indicated that the passenger made a verbal threat. "I guess the exact words were, 'I will take care of you when we land in Guyana', but in a very threatening manner," a crew member reported.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office responded after receiving an initial report that a passenger had assaulted a flight attendant. Investigators later determined that the incident involved a verbal dispute rather than a physical assault.

After the aircraft returned to the gate, the passenger left the plane without incident. Authorities said the traveller was rebooked on a different flight. (CBS News)