Flight operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) were briefly suspended on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, after authorities responded to a security threat involving a United Airlines flight arriving from Houston.
According to officials at the Washington, D.C., airport and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the ground stop was issued late Tuesday morning after an unconfirmed bomb threat was reported aboard United Airlines Flight 512, a Boeing 737 Max 8 carrying 89 passengers and six crew members.
The flight landed safely at Reagan National around 11:30 a.m. and was directed to a remote area of the airfield, away from the terminal, while law enforcement investigated.
“The FAA is aware of a reported security issue on an aircraft at Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Passengers have been removed, and the aircraft is away from the terminal while authorities investigate,” the agency said in a statement.
Video from the airport showed police and emergency vehicles responding on the tarmac. The runway remained closed while passengers were evacuated and transported to the terminal by bus. Several inbound flights were temporarily diverted to nearby airports, including Washington Dulles International and Baltimore/Washington International.
ATC recordings captured the moment controllers instructed the United pilot to taxi to an isolated area, citing “an unconfirmed bomb report.”
The FBI’s Washington Field Office confirmed that agents responded to the scene and later found no hazards. “The FBI Washington Field Office’s National Capital Response Squad responded to reports of a bomb threat at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport today. No hazards were found. The FBI continues to work with our law enforcement partners on this investigation,” the bureau said.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy also commented on the incident in a post on X, writing: “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. I want to thank our brave men and women in law enforcement for their quick response.”
The airport’s runways reopened at 12:50 p.m., roughly an hour after the initial report. By early afternoon, normal flight operations had resumed, though some delays persisted as airlines adjusted schedules.
In a statement, United Airlines confirmed details about the incident, saying authorities carried out a precautionary inspection and found no threats.
“United Flight 512 landed safely after a potential security concern. Customers deplaned via airstairs and were bused to the terminal. Law enforcement officials searched and cleared the aircraft, and it has since taxied to the gate,” the airline said.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police are leading the investigation with assistance from the FBI and the Transportation Security Administration. No injuries were reported, and all passengers were safely screened before reentering the terminal.
The temporary ground stop added to ongoing operational strain at US airports, many of which have been affected by the federal government shutdown that has left thousands of FAA employees, including air traffic controllers, working without pay.
Reagan National Airport, located just across the Potomac River from downtown Washington, D.C., handles more than 24 million passengers annually and is one of the most security-sensitive airports in the country due to its proximity to federal buildings and restricted airspace.
Authorities said there was no ongoing threat to the public, and flight schedules were expected to normalize by Tuesday evening. The FBI said it continues to evaluate the source of the bomb threat.
