Flight Diverts Back to Newark After Bluetooth Device Named 'Bomb'
Careless passenger causes international flight to make U-turn after using four-letter word to name his Bluetooth device

Image: Mail Online
A United Airlines flight from Newark to Spain had to return shortly after takeoff due to a Bluetooth device named 'bomb.' The device was later identified as a teenager's Fitbit. Passengers were evacuated and re-screened before the flight resumed its journey.
- 01The United Airlines flight was scheduled from Newark Liberty International Airport to Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
- 02The incident occurred when a passenger's Bluetooth device, a Fitbit, was named 'bomb,' raising security alarms.
- 03Despite requests to turn off Bluetooth devices, the Fitbit remained online, prompting the flight crew to escalate the situation.
- 04The flight returned to Newark about 3.5 hours after takeoff, where passengers were evacuated for security checks.
- 05The FBI is investigating the incident, but the teenage passenger has not faced any local charges.
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On Saturday night, a United Airlines flight bound for Palma de Mallorca, Spain, was forced to return to Newark Liberty International Airport due to a Bluetooth device named 'bomb,' which turned out to be a 16-year-old's Fitbit. The flight took off around 6 PM but landed back at approximately 9:30 PM after a passenger reported the alarming device name during takeoff. Despite the crew's requests for passengers to disable their Bluetooth, the device remained visible, leading to heightened security measures. All 190 passengers and 12 crew members were evacuated while Port Authority police conducted a sweep of the aircraft. Following the inspection, the Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Patrol re-screened the passengers before the flight could continue. A United spokesperson confirmed the flight returned to address the potential security concern and later departed with a new crew. The FBI is now investigating the incident, but no charges have been filed against the teenager responsible for the device name.
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The incident caused significant delays and required heightened security measures at Newark Liberty International Airport.
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