Major airline declares emergency after unhinged passenger makes an attempt to enter cockpit
A 48-year-old man was arrested after allegedly attacking a flight attendant and attempting to breach the cockpit on United Flight 1837 at Newark Liberty Airport
A United Airlines pilot called the emergency (stock)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
United Airlines declared an emergency aboard an aircraft on Saturday evening after a deranged passenger assaulted a flight attendant and attempted to breach the cockpit.
Officials confirmed a 48-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was detained shortly after 6pm following his violent outburst on United flight 1837 at Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey. In audio that emerged following the incident, air traffic control could be heard receiving an urgent warning from airport personnel that the United pilot was desperately requesting emergency crews to meet them on the tarmac.
“The pilot wants to declare an emergency, it seems someone just attacked one of our flight attendants,” the airport worker stated. The air traffic controller initially appeared unaware of the severity of the situation, calmly replying they would “move them in just a sec” before the worker interrupted: “Can we get emergency vehicles out here.”
“A gentleman just attacked one of the flight attendants and tried to open the forward main cabin door,” the worker continued.
“Oh my God,” air traffic control replied. The employee revealed the attacker had “tried to gain access to the flight deck”, before the pilot then intervened on the radio to demand officers rush to the location.
The pilot said: “We’re asking for a gate ASAP, and we need to be met by law enforcement.”
“We had someone try to pop our door open,” the pilot added. The aircraft was travelling from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic to Newark, touching down at approximately 5:21pm.
The suspect was transported to a local hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Officials confirmed that one person aboard the aircraft declined medical treatment at the scene, with no other injuries reported.
United Airlines issued a statement saying: “Local law enforcement met United flight 1837 upon its scheduled arrival at Newark International Airport to address an unruly passenger.
“We’re grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of fellow crew members and our customers.”
The incident occurred just hours after Spirit Airlines halted all its operations, throwing the US aviation industry into chaos and leaving passengers stranded nationwide.
