A live bullet was discovered aboard United Flight 1302 before it departed Denver International Airport for San Diego on August 13, 2026. The finding prompted all 178 passengers to leave the Boeing 737-900 with their carry-on bags while security personnel searched the aircraft. The flight departed more than two hours later after the plane was cleared. Authorities had not immediately determined who owned the bullet or how it came aboard.
The incident occurred during routine checks before the aircraft reached the runway. United confirmed that the aircraft underwent a security sweep and later continued to San Diego with its six crew members.
| 1) | The discovery before departure |
|---|---|
| 2) | Passengers leave the aircraft |
| 3) | Security personnel conduct a sweep |
| 4) | Flight departure is delayed |
| 5) | Ownership and origin remain unclear |
The discovery before departure
United Flight 1302 was preparing to travel from Denver International Airport to San Diego on Thursday, August 13, when a live bullet was found aboard the aircraft. The discovery was made before the Boeing 737-900 taxied to the runway, during checks conducted before departure.
The aircraft was carrying 178 passengers and six crew members. Because the item was live ammunition, the finding was treated as a security matter rather than a routine lost-property issue. The crew informed passengers that the plane would need to be emptied so the aircraft could be examined.
Passengers leave the aircraft
Passengers were instructed to deplane with their carry-on bags. The order applied to everyone aboard the aircraft and was intended to allow security personnel to inspect the cabin without passengers present.
The evacuation took place at Denver International Airport before the scheduled departure. The crew apologized for the disruption while explaining that a security sweep was required. No injuries or other threats were reported in the available information.
Security personnel conduct a sweep
After the aircraft was emptied, security personnel searched the plane. The purpose of the sweep was to determine whether the bullet was connected to any additional security concern and to confirm that the aircraft was safe to operate.
United said the aircraft was cleared following the search. The airline confirmed the security response but referred additional questions about the incident to the Transportation Security Administration. The available information did not identify the individual who found the bullet or explain precisely where it was located on the plane.
Flight departure is delayed
Flight 1302 was scheduled to depart at approximately 1:25 p.m. local time. It ultimately took off at about 3:41 p.m., representing a delay of more than two hours while passengers deplaned and the security inspection was completed.
United stated that the flight later departed for San Diego after the aircraft had been cleared. The delay affected the passengers and crew assigned to the Boeing 737-900, but the aircraft continued its planned route after the inspection.
Ownership and origin remain unclear
Neither United nor the information available from airport officials immediately established who the bullet belonged to or how it entered the aircraft. Those questions could require additional review of airport screening, aircraft cleaning and boarding procedures.
Denver International Airport and the Transportation Security Administration were contacted for further information. At the time of reporting, no agency had publicly attributed the ammunition to a passenger, crew member or another source, and no additional details about possible follow-up action had been released.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A live bullet was found aboard United Flight 1302 before departure. |
| 2 | All 178 passengers left the Boeing 737-900 with their carry-on bags. |
| 3 | Security personnel searched and cleared the aircraft. |
| 4 | The flight left Denver at about 3:41 p.m., more than two hours late. |
| 5 | The bullet’s ownership and route onto the aircraft were not immediately known. |
Summary
The discovery of live ammunition on a United flight at Denver International Airport triggered a full passenger deplaning and aircraft security sweep. The plane was cleared and departed for San Diego after a delay exceeding two hours. The circumstances surrounding the bullet remained under review, with no immediate public explanation of how it entered the aircraft.
Frequently Asked Questions
What flight was affected?
United Flight 1302, which was scheduled to fly from Denver to San Diego, was affected.
How many people were aboard the aircraft?
United said the Boeing 737-900 was carrying 178 passengers and six crew members.
Why were passengers ordered off the plane?
Passengers were told to leave so security personnel could conduct a sweep of the aircraft after a live bullet was discovered aboard.
When did the flight depart?
The flight was scheduled to leave at about 1:25 p.m. and took off at approximately 3:41 p.m.
