Minneapolis airport fails 95 percent of security tests, sources say

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - When put to the test, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport failed 95 percent of security tests conducted at the airport last week, according to Fox 9 sources.

Last Thursday, an undercover  security unit known as the “Headquarters Evaluation Team,” in town from Washington, D.C., posed as passengers and attempted to sneak items through security that should easily be caught. 

In most cases, they succeeded in getting the banned items though. 17 out of 18 tries by the undercover federal agents saw explosive materials, or fake weapons through TSA screening undetected

Two sources said that the tests carried out Thursday were eventually stopped after the failure rate reached 95 percent.

This information was revealed to Fox 9 as the holiday weekend began, a weekend Americans are expected to set travel records. It is estimated that nearly 3.5 million people are expected to fly this long weekend.

This is not the first time MSP Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has received this sort of failing grade. In April of 2016, sources said the airport failed nine out of 12 tests.

In 2015, nationwide TSA struggles forced the resignation of then TSA Chief Melvin Carraway. Roughly two years later, questions remain under new leadership about how to fix these issues.

When asked about Thursday’s failing grade, the TSA said, “TSA cannot confirm or deny the results of internal tests and condemns the release of any information that could compromise our nation’s security."

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this story identified the undercover security unit as the “Red Team.”  It was the Headquarters Evaluation Team.