All flights were grounded at Reagan National Airport midday Tuesday while a United Airlines jet was evacuated over a reported security threat.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on social media that a United Airlines flight “received a bomb threat,” resulting in passengers being evacuated and law enforcement conducting a full search of the aircraft.
The airport announced the ground stop on social media around 12:22 p.m.
“All flight operations are being held at Reagan National while passengers on a United Airlines flight are being offloaded and bussed to the terminal,” the airport wrote. “We will provide more information as it becomes available.”
The main runway reopened at 12:50 p.m. but many flights were delayed by about an hour “due to security,” according to the FAA. Air traffic control audio posted online references “an unconfirmed bomb report” for the flight, which had just arrived at DCA from Houston.
Earlier today a United flight from Houston to Washington D.C. received a bomb threat.
The flight landed safely at DCA, passengers were evacuated, and law enforcement conducted a full search of the aircraft.
The @FAANews has received the all clear and operations have resumed.…
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) November 4, 2025
They are now deplaning.. pic.twitter.com/WtAJbV49Jq
— Carter Banks (@carterbanks) November 4, 2025
DCA GROUND CONTROL: "I'm sorry I have to do this you… we have an unconfirmed bomb report for your flight."
LISTEN to the ATC audio as a controller tells United 512 to taxi further away from the Reagan National Airport terminal. @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/8dFnIG3Png
— Joseph Olmo (@ReporterJoseph) November 4, 2025
Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) said via social media that he is “monitoring the situation at DCA and in contact with airport officials seeking more information about this very concerning incident.”
Monitoring the situation at DCA and in contact with airport officials seeking more information about this very concerning incident. My thanks to law enforcement, airport workers, and those working to protect the public. https://t.co/bWT0R86R8f
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) November 4, 2025
The flight in question, United 512, originated from Houston before landing at DCA around 11:30 a.m., the airport confirmed.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority police are now “conducting a thorough investigation with the assistance of multiple law enforcement partners,” the airport announced in a statement referencing a “security threat.”
“Several flights were diverted to other airports during the runway closure,” Reagan National wrote. “People meeting passengers or flying this afternoon should expect delays and check with their airline for updated flight information.”
UPDATE: United Airlines flight 512 landed at Reagan National Airport around 11:30 a.m. and then stopped on an adjacent runway away from the terminal in response to a security threat. Airport runways remained closed until passengers were safely offloaded and bused to the terminal.…
— Reagan Airport (@Reagan_Airport) November 4, 2025
Photo (top) via Fox 5
