Escaped snake captured by crew on Alaskan commuter plane

March 22 (UPI) -- Passengers on a commuter flight in Alaska received a shock when the pilot took to the intercom with an announcement: There was a snake loose on the plane.

The passengers said Ravn Alaska flight 7133 from Aniak to Anchorage started out normally Sunday, but took a Hollywoodesque turn when the pilot made an announcement about 15 minutes after takeoff.

"Guys, we have some loose snake on the plane, but we don't know where it is," the BBC quoted the pilot as saying.

Anna McConnaughy said it did not take long the find the serpent.

"Almost right away after that announcement a boy who was sitting with his mother in the last row found the snake hidden behind his seat. The flight attendant and the pilot took control over the situation right away," McConnaughy told KTVA-TV.

The snake was asleep and partially covered by a duffel bag, witnesses said.

McConnaughy snapped photos of a flight attendant picking up the large yellow snake, which was not venomous, and placing it in a trash bag.

Ravn Alaska said the snake had been left behind by a passenger on the plane's previous flight from Anchorage to Aniak. Spokesman William Walsh said the snake had been brought aboard the flight without the airline's knowledge.

"For the purpose of preserving cabin safety for the greater traveling public, Ravn Alaska prohibits all rodents, ferrets, reptiles, snakes, insects or any type of venomous or poisonous creature from being used as an emotional support animal," Walsh said.

It was unclear whether the passenger would face any charges for smuggling the snake aboard the plane.