A flight preparing for takeoff on the runway was suddenly turned back to the gate after a text containing a picture of a handgun was circulated to a number of passengers on board

United Airlines Flight 2167 from San Francisco to Orlando was preparing to take off on July 22 when some travellers allegedly received a photo of a toy gun according to NBC.

They claimed it appeared to be a realistic-looking airsoft gun.

The picture had been sent via Airdrop, a service that allows people to transfer content wirelessly between Apple devices.

It prompted officials to evacuate passengers from the plane, with the passengers screened again and the plane inspected.

Doug Yakel, a spokesperson for San Francisco Airport said passengers were evacuated “out of an abundance of caution”.

The teenager at the centre of the prank was kicked off the flight after being identified

Officials determined the boy did not have the toy gun on him and the photo was taken earlier on another date outside the airport.

A United Airlines spokesperson said law enforcement is investigating the matter.

The flight was delayed due to a security issue involving a customer on board.