A United Airlines Boeing 767 was forced to return to Newark Liberty International Airport on May 30 after a Bluetooth device was detected under the name 'BOMB.' The flight, UA236, had departed at approximately 5:58 p.m. and was en route to Palma de Mallorca, Spain. After about an hour and a half, crew members and passengers became concerned when the device appeared on their screens, prompting the pilots to declare an emergency landing.
According to United Airlines, a 16-year-old passenger had named his Bluetooth device 'BOMB' as a prank. A flight attendant informed passengers that the joke was compromising the safety of the flight. Passengers reported discovering the Bluetooth connection through various social media posts. After being alerted, flight attendants instructed all passengers to turn off their Bluetooth devices, warning that the plane would return if they did not comply.
Despite the warning, some devices remained on, leading to the decision to turn the aircraft around. Upon landing back at Newark, passengers were evacuated and met by local police and federal agents. They were required to go through TSA screening again, even though their baggage remained on the plane. Passengers arrived at their final destination nine-and-a-half hours late. As of June 2, United Airlines had not issued an official statement regarding the incident or any potential consequences for the passenger involved.