A United Airlines flight bound for San Diego was significantly delayed on Thursday after a live bullet was discovered onboard the aircraft at Denver International Airport, leading to the evacuation of passengers and a thorough security inspection.
Security Scare Delays United Flight 1302
United Flight 1302, scheduled to depart Denver at approximately 1:25 p.m. local time for San Diego, experienced a substantial delay when a live bullet was found during pre-departure checks. The discovery prompted an immediate halt to boarding and the instruction for all passengers and crew to deplane.
The incident unfolded as the Boeing 737-900 was preparing to taxi to the runway. A crew member announced the discovery over the intercom, informing passengers that a “live round, a bullet” had been found on the plane. The announcement characterized the situation as a “security breach” and stated that everyone would need to disembark.
Passengers were asked to collect their carry-on luggage and leave the aircraft so that security personnel could conduct a comprehensive sweep. “We need everybody to deplane the aircraft with your carry-on bags. We’re going to have to carry out a security sweep of the aircraft after the plane is empty,” a voice announced, followed by an apology for the inconvenience.
Investigation and Aircraft Clearance
At the time of the announcement, the flight crew indicated they had no information regarding how the bullet came to be on the plane or who it belonged to. United Airlines later confirmed the event in a statement, noting that “United flight 1302 from Denver to San Diego underwent a security sweep after a bullet was discovered on board prior to the flight’s departure.”
The airline spokesperson added that “Security personnel cleared the aircraft, which later departed for San Diego.” The specific details surrounding the bullet’s origin and its presence on the aircraft remained unclear.
United reported that the aircraft, a Boeing 737-900, was carrying 178 passengers and six crew members. The airline deferred further inquiries regarding the security protocols and the incident itself to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
Flight Resumes After Extensive Delay
The discovery of the live ammunition led to a significant disruption for the 184 individuals on board. Flight 1302, which was originally slated for departure in the early afternoon, did not ultimately take off until approximately 3:41 p.m. local time. This resulted in a delay of over two hours from its scheduled departure time.
The incident underscores the critical importance of security measures at airports and on aircraft. While the exact circumstances of how the bullet bypassed security screening remain under investigation, the swift response from airline and airport security personnel ensured the aircraft was cleared for departure after the necessary checks were completed.
Further details were sought from the TSA and the Denver International Airport authorities regarding the security breach and the subsequent investigation into how the live ammunition was brought aboard the aircraft.
