Flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport resumed Tuesday afternoon after a bomb threat prompted a ground stop and the evacuation of a United Airlines flight, officials said. The threat was made against United Flight 512, which arrived from Houston around 11:30 a.m. The aircraft was directed to stop on a runway away from the terminal while passengers were safely removed and bused to the terminal, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Air traffic recordings from LiveATC.net captured controllers alerting the crew to an “unconfirmed bomb report.”
One controller told the pilot, “I’m sorry to have to do this to you. We’ve got to turn you again … We have an unconfirmed bomb report for your flight, and we’ve got to get you away from the airport.”
DCA GROUND CONTROL: "I'm sorry I have to do this you… we have an unconfirmed bomb report for your flight."
— Joseph Olmo (@ReporterJoseph) November 4, 2025
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
At around 11:37 a.m., another controller added, “Someone called and said there was a bomb on 512. They said if it landed, it would explode—well, it landed.”
Emergency Response and Investigation
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said emergency crews secured the scene and closed runways in preparation for deboarding passengers. Video from the tarmac showed travelers deplaning near the Potomac River while police and fire vehicles surrounded the aircraft. Dispatch audio obtained by NBC Washington indicated the threat came from a robotic male voice demanding $500,000 in cryptocurrency before disconnecting.
BREAKING: All flights in and out of Reagan National Airport are currently halted due to a bomb threat on a flight, a source familiar with the situation tells me. The plane is isolated on the east end of the field.
— Pete Muntean (@petemuntean) November 4, 2025
The FAA just extended the DCA ground stop until 1:30 PM ET. pic.twitter.com/Ex9dEMCvw8
The FAA issued a ground stop at 11:18 a.m., halting all arrivals and departures. Several flights diverted to nearby airports, including Washington Dulles and Baltimore/Washington International. The main runway reopened at 12:50 p.m. after authorities determined there were no hazards, according to airport officials.
Flights Resume, No Injuries Reported
“The FAA is aware of a reported security issue on an aircraft at Reagan Washington National Airport,” the agency said in a statement. “Passengers have been removed and the aircraft is away from the terminal while authorities investigate.”
BREAKING: United Airlines 512 continues to remain in an isolated area at Reagan National Airport.
— Matthew Cappucci (@MatthewCappucci) November 4, 2025
A large emergency presence is visible.
ATC said "I'm sorry to have to do this to you… We have an unconfirmed bomb report… We've got to get you away from the airport." pic.twitter.com/HNBB8AaOK1
The FBI’s Washington Field Office said its National Capital Response Squad “responded to reports of a bomb threat … No hazards were found.”
MWAA police are leading the investigation into the Reagan bomb threat with assistance from federal partners.
The incident comes about ten months after the deadly midair collision in January involving an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a PSA CRJ700 that was on approach to land at the airport.
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