Travel Update: Bullet Found on Plane at Newark Liberty International Airport

Routine departure from Newark Liberty International Airport  turned into a security drama on Tuesday afternoon when a loan bullet was found in the overhead pen of a United airline Boeing 737 bound  for Miami. The discovery, made before passengers boarded United Flight 1511, forced an immediate response from airport authorities and highlighted enduring concerns about aviation security in an era of heightened vigilance. 
 

The ammunition was spotted by ground crew shortly before the flight’s scheduled 2:07 p.m. pushback. Though no weapon was accompanying the round, it’s mere presence in the cabin triggered a formal crime scene designation and a meticulous security sweep by Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers and the Port Authority Police. Only after 3 hours of inspections was the jet cleared for departure. It eventually took off in the late afternoon and arrived in Miami on schedule.

Federal agents (Including FBI) have since taken custody of the bullet and are probing how it bypassed multiple layers of screening designed to detect prohibited items. Under current TSA regulations, ammunition is banned from carry on luggage and is permitted only in check bags. This is subject to strict packing and protocols of deceleration.
 

According to the security experts, this episode underscores persistent challenges in enforcing rules of aviation amid passenger volume that is rising. Even a single loose round, incapable  of discharging without a firing mechanism, can disrupt the whole operation and erode public confidence.  

As the CCTV footage and boarding procedures are reviewed by the investigators, United Airlines and federal agencies face renewed pressure to explain how such an oversight occurred and what it means for the safety of the flying public .