LAS VEGAS— A passenger on Allegiant Air (G4) Flight 1023 is under FBI investigation after allegedly claiming his laptop was a bomb, prompting an emergency landing on July 6, 2025. The incident occurred shortly after departure from St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) en route to Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA).
The suspect, 27-year-old Taj Malik Taylor, reportedly told a nearby passenger his laptop contained explosives, triggering an immediate response from crew and authorities. The aircraft safely returned to PIE, where Taylor was taken into custody.
Photo: Caden HendersonAllegiant Air Flight Bomb Threat
According to the FBI affidavit, Taylor was seated in the last row of Allegiant Air Flight 1023 when he told the passenger beside him, “My laptop is a bomb.”
Despite questioning from nearby passengers, Taylor allegedly repeated the claim and gestured toward his laptop case. Several passengers overheard the statements and alerted the flight crew.
The cabin crew informed the pilots, and the aircraft diverted back to St. Pete–Clearwater (PIE), landing around 2:00 p.m. Law enforcement and bomb-sniffing K9 units met the flight. No explosive devices were found in Taylor’s possession.
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Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that multiple passengers provided consistent statements about the threat. Taylor was detained without incident.
Taylor told authorities he had recently been released from a mental health facility and was suffering from confusion due to medication. This detail was included in the FBI’s affidavit, but it does not impact the severity of the federal charges.
He now faces a felony charge for making a false bomb threat—an offense punishable by up to five years in prison, a fine of $25,000, or both. His initial court appearance is scheduled for later today.
Photo: Allegiant AirFlight Resumes After Delay
Once cleared, all passengers and crew were safely deplaned.
After a thorough search and security check, the flight resumed and arrived at Roanoke–Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) approximately five hours behind schedule, landing at 7:57 p.m.
Allegiant Air (G4) issued an apology for the disruption and confirmed that $100 travel vouchers would be provided to affected passengers. “We thank our passengers for their patience and cooperation,” the airline stated.
Photo: Caden HendersonSimilar Incidents
This case adds to a growing list of in-flight security incidents this summer. Last week, an American Airlines (AA) flight made an emergency return due to a misinterpreted text message. In May, a U.S. military member was arrested after falsely claiming to have a bomb aboard a Hawaiian Airlines (HA) flight.
A bomb threat disrupted an Allegiant Air (G4) flight preparing to depart St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE) for Cincinnati (CVG) on April 25, 2025.
The threat, found in a written note inside the aircraft’s restroom, prompted an immediate response. All passengers and crew were evacuated safely, and the airport temporarily halted operations during the investigation.
At approximately 4:51 p.m., a written bomb threat was discovered onboard an Allegiant Air (G4) flight while it was still stationed on the tarmac at St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE). The aircraft was scheduled to depart for Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) when the threat was reported.
In response, deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Threat Management Division, supported by K-9 bomb detection teams and nearby law enforcement agencies, immediately evacuated all passengers and crew. Authorities secured the scene and began a methodical search of the aircraft and nearby planes to ensure public safety.
Following the incident, PIE airport suspended all operations for several hours, affecting both arriving and departing flights. Bomb detection teams conducted thorough sweeps across aircraft and airport facilities. After confirming there were no explosive devices, airport operations resumed.
Authorities continue to urge vigilance but stress that all threats—verbal or otherwise—will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
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American Airlines Passenger Wifi Named ‘I Have a Bomb’ Delayed Flight by Hours
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