On July 18, 2018, a United Airlines flight bound for Palma de Mallorca, Spain, made an unexpected return to Newark after a suspicious incident related to a Bluetooth device on board.
The flight, scheduled for nearly eight hours, turned back after 4 hours and 24 minutes in the air, according to flight tracking data. United Airlines confirmed to NPR that the return was due to a potential security concern.
Social media posts from passengers hinted at a Bluetooth device causing the issue. Some passengers shared photos and videos matching the flight’s timeline, with cabin crew instructing all passengers to turn off Bluetooth devices.
A contributor on TikTok revealed the Bluetooth network named ‘BOMB’ triggered the security response. She shared her experience drinking sangria in Palma after finally arriving.
Additional audio from LiveATC.net recorded air traffic control discussing the situation. A speaker, reportedly named ‘bomb,’ prompted inspection of the aircraft and evacuation of passengers. The device was believed to belong to a teenager.
The flight resumed its journey, landing at Palma de Mallorca at 3:47 p.m. local time on Sunday, delaying passengers by approximately nine and a half hours.
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