United flight attendant pulls emergency slide on plane

HOUSTON -- A United Airlines employee has been removed from duties after airline officials say she pulled the emergency slide on a plane.

Flight 1246 from Sacramento landed at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston just before noon. Shortly after the aircraft arrived at the gate, the flight attendant reportedly activated the emergency slide. It's not clear why this was done, but airline officials say they believe the attendant did it intentionally.

There were 159 passengers on board, and a crew of six, including the flight attendant in question.

The plane was taken out of service and had to be inspected again to meet safety standards. The plane has been returned to service.

United Airlines issued the following statement: "We hold all of our employees to the highest standard. The unsafe behavior is unacceptable and does not represent the more than 20,000 flight attendants who ensure the safety of our customers. United is reviewing the matter and they have removed the employee from her flying duties."