Bomb Threat Forces Allegiant Air Flight To Make Emergency Landing

An Allegiant Air Airbus A320 was forced to make an emergency landing on July 6, 2025, following a reported bomb threat onboard. The aircraft landed safely, with no injuries reported and no bomb found.

According to a report by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), a 27-year-old Florida man, Taj Malik Taylor, claimed that his laptop was an explosive device. Data from Flightradar24.com shows that the Airbus A320, which had departed from St. Petersburg, was flying over Hudson Beach when it turned around and diverted back to the airport.

The Incident Details

Photo: Floghtradar24.com

On July 6, 2025, the Allegiant Air Airbus A320-200, registered as N275NV, took off for flight G4 2013 from St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport (PIE) and was bound for Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA), Virginia. However, soon after take-off, the 27-year-old Florida passenger claimed that his laptop was a bomb to others. According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24.com, the aircraft made an emergency landing approximately 40 minutes after take-off.

The passenger in question is facing charges for making a false bomb threat. The Florida man said to a passenger next to him, “My laptop is a bomb,” according to an FBI affidavit seen by USA Today. In response, the passenger immediately notified the flight attendants. Detectives say several other witnesses on the Airbus A320 also heard Taylor state that he had a bomb, according to the PCSO. The incident is currently under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). In a statement to USA Today, an Allegiant Air spokesperson said:

"Allegiant does not tolerate disruptive behavior of any kind, so the decision was made to return to the airport. The plane landed safely and was met by law enforcement officers, who took the passenger into custody."

Bomb Hoaxes Carry Prison Sentences

Photo: lorenzatx | Shutterstock

Section 35 of Title 18 is a US law that makes it illegal to give false information about threats to airplanes, airports, or vehicles, especially claims about bombs or attempts to cause damage. This law is often called the “bomb hoax” law, according to a report by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

If someone makes a false report without intending harm, they can still face civil penalties (like fines). But if the false report is made on purpose or with reckless disregard for safety, it's a serious crime. In that case, the person can face up to $5,000 in fines, up to five years in prison, or both.

This is not the first false bomb threat in recent weeks. On June 14, 2025, an Alaska Airlines flight and several other flights at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) were disrupted after a passenger made a comment about having a bomb on board. As a result, the Alaska Airlines flight was forced to stop taxiing, and two of the airport’s runways were temporarily closed.

A recent bomb threat caused significant flight disruptions.

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A Similar Incident Two Years Ago

Photo: Robin Guess l Shutterstock

On July 5, 2023, 40-year-old Brandon L. Scott handed the flight attendant on an Alaska Airlines flight from Atlanta to Seattle a note with a message about the presence of a bomb onboard. The note read, “There is a bomb on the plane. This is not a joke.”

The passenger involved in the incident has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison. According to a report from the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Scott, who caused the disruption on an Alaska Airlines flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), was also sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $79,449.47 in restitution to Alaska Airlines and Spokane International Airport.

Alaska Airlines

Airline Type

Full Service Carrier

Hub(s)

Anchorage International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Portland International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Year Founded

1932

Alliance

oneworld

CEO

Ben Minicucci

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Bomb threats are not uncommon in aviation. Several such incidents have occurred in recent months. Just two months ago, a man was charged with making a false bomb threat on a Hawaiian Airlines flight after allegedly telling a flight attendant that the passenger next to him was carrying a bomb.