Teen's Bluetooth Speaker Named 'BOMB' Forces Transatlantic Flight to Turn Around

Executive Briefing

• Triggers emergency: a 16-year-old named his Bluetooth speaker 'BOMB,' causing it to appear on passengers' and crew devices mid-flight.
• Diverts flight: United Airlines UA236 squawked 7700 emergency code and reversed course roughly 90 minutes into its transatlantic route.
• Prompts massive response: FBI and airport police met the aircraft, deplaning all passengers for a full security sweep of the plane and luggage.
• Disrupts hundreds: passengers were bused around the tarmac for an hour and forced through TSA screening a second time.
• Faces consequences: United Airlines has not yet announced criminal charges or a ban for the teenager responsible for the costly disruption.