An emergency was declared on a United Airlines flight on Saturday after a passenger allegedly tried to assault a flight attendant and force his way into the cockpit.
The incident occurred on United Airlines Flight 1837, which arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey at approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday.
according to cbs newsThe situation escalated when a 48-year-old man became unruly. Port Authority police detained the passenger upon landing and transported him to a local hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.
There have been no reports of casualties.
United Airlines confirmed the incident in a statement and commended the crew for their swift actions to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff.
An airline spokesperson said in a statement to the media: “After United Flight 1837 arrived at Newark International Airport as scheduled, local law enforcement intercepted an unruly passenger. We thank the crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of crew members and passengers.”
While specific penalties have not been confirmed by the FAA or United Airlines, depending on the severity of the incident, the passenger could face federal criminal charges and civil penalties from the FAA.
Criminal Penalties (Federal Law): Under 49 USC § 46504, anyone who assaults, intimidates, or interferes with a crew member, including flight attendants, may face serious consequences. Maximum penalties include up to 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.
Civil Penalties (FAA): The FAA has a strict zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers and may impose fines independent of criminal charges.
This incident follows a similar incident on February 18 involving a delta Air flight (Delta 2557) flies from Houston Hobby Airport to Atlanta. Shortly after takeoff, a passenger attempted to enter the cockpit, prompting the crew to declare an emergency. The pilot reported to air traffic control: “We have a passenger who got up and tried to get into the aircraft cockpit”. The passenger also allegedly assaulted another passenger.
Other passengers and crew intervened to stop the man, and the Boeing 717 returned to Hobby about 17 minutes after takeoff. The passenger was detained by law enforcement and the flight resumed after a delay of approximately 90 minutes. Delta described the incident as “unruly and illegal conduct” but clarified that the passenger did not make direct contact or attempt to enter the cockpit.
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