A MAN who claimed to have a bomb on an American Airlines plane in Miami was shot dead by a US federal officer last night.

Flight 924 had just arrived from Colombia and was heading to Orlando.

Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Doyle said the dead passenger was a 44-year-old US citizen.

It was the first time since the September 11 terrorist attacks that an air marshal had shot at a passenger or suspect, he said.

The passenger fled after being challenged by the air marshal.

The incident occurred on the walkway between the plane and the airport terminal.

A law enforcement official told the Reuters news agency that "no device has been located at this time".

A spokesman for the Homeland Security Department said the passenger indicated during the flight that there was a bomb in a carry-on bag and upon landing immediately left the aircraft.

Air marshals pursued and ordered the passenger to get down on the ground.

The spokesman said: "The passenger then reached into his carry-on bag, at which point, consistent with air marshal training, the air marshals took the appropriate actions.

"Shots were fired as the team attempted to subdue the subject."

Television images showed police and emergency response officers surrounding the plane after the incident.