United Airlines Flight Returns to Newark After Bluetooth Device Sparks Security Scare
A United Airlines flight bound for Palma de Mallorca, Spain, was forced to return to Newark Liberty International Airport after a Bluetooth device onboard was flagged as a potential security threat. The incident occurred when a device named 'bomb' appeared on the list of available Bluetooth connections, prompting security concerns. The flight, which had been in the air for about four hours, was turned around, and passengers were instructed to turn off their devices. Upon landing back in Newark, Port Authority police conducted a thorough sweep of the aircraft, and passengers were re-screened by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. It was later discovered that the device in question was a Fitbit owned by a 16-year-old passenger. The flight eventually continued to its destination with a new crew.