TSA screening has detected explosives and explosive devices at U.S. airports, though the number is small relative to the billions of passengers screened annually

The TSA does not publish a running count of explosives found at checkpoints, so there is no single official number. What is documented: TSA officers have discovered explosive materials, detonators, and devices during routine screening. These discoveries are rare enough that they make news when they happen, but they do occur.

The most widely reported case involved a passenger at Los Angeles International Airport in 2015 who carried a loaded handgun and ammunition through security — not an explosive, but a reminder that checkpoint screening does catch prohibited items. In 2017, a man was arrested at Newark Airport after TSA found what authorities described as bomb-making materials in his checked bag. In 2019, a passenger at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was stopped with a loaded handgun in a carry-on bag.

These incidents show that TSA screening works as designed: officers find dangerous items before they reach aircraft. The system is not perfect — TSA has failed some undercover tests — but it does catch real threats regularly.

Key Takeaways

  • TSA does not publish a total count of explosives found, but documented cases show officers have discovered explosive materials and devices at multiple airports.
  • The most common finds are prohibited items like firearms, ammunition, and knives rather than assembled explosive devices.
  • TSA screening catches thousands of prohibited items each year, with weapons and dangerous materials making up a portion of those discoveries.
  • Undercover testing has shown gaps in screening, but the system still functions as a barrier to dangerous items reaching aircraft.

How TSA screening detects explosives

TSA officers use X-ray machines, metal detectors, and physical pat-downs to screen carry-on and checked bags. X-ray technology can identify the density and shape of materials inside luggage, which helps officers spot items that look like explosives or components. Checked bags also go through explosive trace detection — a process where officers wipe the bag's exterior and run it through a machine that identifies chemical residue from explosives.

When an officer sees something suspicious on an X-ray, they pull the bag aside for manual inspection. This is where most discoveries happen. An officer will open the bag, examine the item in question, and either clear it or refer it to law enforcement. If an item tests positive for explosive residue or appears to be a device, local police and the FBI are called when ready.

What kinds of items have been found

Firearms are by far the most common prohibited item TSA finds — the agency reports stopping thousands of guns per year, most in checked bags. Ammunition, fireworks, flares, and other pyrotechnic materials are also frequent discoveries. These items are not explosives in the strict sense, but they are combustible and dangerous at altitude.

Actual explosive materials and devices are rarer. When they are found, they typically involve passengers who either did not know the item was prohibited or were attempting to transport it deliberately. In most cases, the passenger is arrested and the item is seized. The TSA does not disclose details about ongoing investigations, so the full count of explosives found remains unknown.

Why TSA does not publish an official count

The TSA publishes annual reports on prohibited items found — including the number of firearms, lighters, and other categories — but does not break out explosives as a separate line item. This is partly because the number is small enough that publishing it could be misinterpreted as either a sign of failure (if the number seems high) or complacency (if it seems low). It is also partly because explosives cases often involve ongoing law enforcement investigations, and releasing numbers could compromise those cases.

What the TSA does publish is the total number of prohibited items found each year. In 2022, TSA officers found over 26,000 firearms in carry-on and checked bags combined. That same year, officers found thousands of other prohibited items, though the breakdown by category is not always detailed in public reports.

Undercover testing and screening gaps

The Department of Homeland Security conducts undercover tests of TSA screening to measure how well officers catch prohibited items. These tests have sometimes shown that officers miss items that should have been caught. In one widely reported test, undercover agents were able to get prohibited items past security at multiple airports.

These failures do not mean explosives regularly get through — the tests are designed to be difficult and to push the system to its limits. But they do show that no screening system is perfect. TSA has responded to failed tests by retraining officers, updating procedures, and investing in better technology. The goal is to catch as many threats as possible without slowing down the flow of legitimate passengers.

What happens after an explosive is found

If TSA finds an explosive or suspected explosive device, the checkpoint is evacuated when ready. Local law enforcement and the FBI are called. The item is isolated and examined by bomb technicians. If it is confirmed to be an explosive or device, the passenger is arrested and charged under federal law. The airport may close the affected terminal or gate while the investigation continues.

These incidents are taken seriously because the potential consequences are severe. Even a small explosive device can cause injury or death in the confined space of an aircraft. That is why TSA screening exists and why the agency continues to invest in better detection methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has TSA ever found a bomb on a plane?

TSA screening happens before passengers board, so explosives found at checkpoints never reach aircraft. There have been no confirmed cases of a bomb making it past TSA screening and onto a commercial flight. The screening system is designed to catch threats before they get that far.

What should I do if I accidentally pack something prohibited?

Tell a TSA officer before you reach the checkpoint if possible. If you realize it after you are in line, tell an officer when ready. Most prohibited items are straightforward confiscated, and you will not face charges if it was clearly accidental. Firearms and explosives are treated differently and may result in arrest.

Can TSA find explosives in checked bags?

Yes. Checked bags go through explosive trace detection, which can identify chemical residue from explosives. Bags also go through X-ray screening, which can show the shape and density of items inside. If something looks suspicious, the bag is opened and inspected manually.

How often does TSA find weapons or dangerous items?

TSA finds thousands of prohibited items each year, with firearms being the most common. In 2022, officers found over 26,000 guns. The exact number of explosives or explosive materials found is not published separately, but documented cases show they are discovered regularly enough to confirm the screening system is working.