New York (Rajeev Sharma): A Spain-bound United Airlines flight was forced to make a dramatic U-turn over the Atlantic Ocean and return to Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday evening following a security scare triggered by a discoverable Bluetooth device name. The flight, which departed around 6:00 p.m. local time for Palma de Mallorca, Spain, reversed course roughly an hour into its transatlantic journey after an eagle-eyed passenger noticed a discoverable Bluetooth speaker network containing a threatening four-letter word, later identified as “BOMB.”
Upon discovering the network name, the cabin crew immediately broadcasted multiple urgent announcements over the public address system ordering all 190 passengers on board to switch off their Bluetooth connections. The flight crew ultimately issued a strict one-minute ultimatum, warning that non-compliance would force the aircraft to turn around. Air traffic tracking data revealed that when at least two active Bluetooth devices remained discoverable past the deadline, the pilots declared a general emergency, communicated with United Airlines headquarters in Chicago, and initiated a 180-degree turn back to New York.
The Boeing 767 safely landed back at Newark at 9:37 p.m., where it was directed to a remote section of the airfield and swarmed by a significant contingent of local and federal law enforcement, including the Port Authority Police. The 190 passengers and 12 crew members were evacuated via mobile airstairs, instructed to leave their carry-on baggage behind, and bussed to the terminal. After Port Authority police canine units and security teams swept the aircraft and cleared the cabin, all passengers were required to undergo secondary screening by the TSA and Customs and Border Protection. Reports indicate that a teenage passenger onboard subsequently admitted to being the owner of the device, though United Airlines declined to comment on specific disciplinary or legal actions. Following the security clearance, travelers boarded a replacement flight with a fresh crew early Sunday morning, landing in Palma de Mallorca on Sunday afternoon.
