WELLINGTON: It was enough to spark a major security scare: A man posing as a pilot tried to gain access to a restricted part of an international airport and then escaped when questioned.

But it turns out the incident at New Zealand's Auckland Airport was an elaborate television stunt gone awry. And now three show producers are facing charges and the possibility, if convicted, of jail time.

The worry began on Saturday when police say a man dressed in a replica pilot's uniform, complete with epaulets on his shoulders and silver wings on his cap, tried to gain access to a secure part of the airport before being challenged by ground staff. The man left the airport and escaped in a black Toyota van.Police issued alerts for the man, complete with grainy security footage, saying the effort he'd gone to in trying to deceive staff and gain access was of significant concern.

Then the story took a turn. Police announced Monday they'd charged three unlikely suspects - a company director, a film producer and a broadcaster.

Local television station TV3 then put out its own statement: The men all work on a comedy show called "Wanna-Ben." The premise of the show is that an unemployed man named Ben tries to find exciting work, like becoming a rock star or a fashion icon, and meets famous people along the way.