A 48-year-old passenger began causing a disturbance on United Airlines flight 1837 as it landed at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, US, on 2/5. The flight originated from the Dominican Republic.
"Flight 1837 declared an emergency. A passenger just attacked a flight attendant and is trying to open the main forward cabin door," the pilot informed Newark Liberty airport air traffic controllers. The pilot then added that the passenger was attempting to open the cockpit door. Air traffic control instructed the pilot to guide the aircraft to a safe parking position, allowing airport police to board for inspection.
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A United Airlines aircraft landing at San Francisco International Airport, California, US, on 23/3. *AFP*
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was carrying 170 passengers and six crew members. Newark Liberty airport police reported receiving information about a "scuffle" on the United Airlines flight. Officers subdued the individual on board and transported him to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
On 3/5, United Airlines confirmed that police assisted the crew in handling the unruly passenger. The airline expressed gratitude to the flight crew for their efforts to "ensure the safety of our crew members and customers".
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the disruptive passenger.
US airlines have recorded nearly 500 unruly passenger incidents since the beginning of the year, according to the FAA. The number of reported unruly passenger cases peaked at 5,973 in 2021, then steadily decreased to 1,621 last year.
Under FAA regulations, passengers who assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with crew members can face fines of up to 43,658 USD for each violation.
By Huyen Le (Sources: CNN, NBC News, People)
