A 48-year-old man was detained after allegedly attacking a flight attendant and attempting to access the cockpit during a United Airlines flight as it landed at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday, May 2.
The flight UA1837, arriving from Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, was carrying 170 passengers and six crew members aboard a Boeing 737 MAX 9 registered N27503. Audio from air traffic control captured the pilot declaring an emergency, reporting that a passenger had assaulted a flight attendant and tried to open a cabin door.
The aircraft landed safely, and no serious injuries were reported. One individual declined medical treatment. The suspect was taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation, according to the Port Authority Police Department.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation. The agency noted that nearly 500 unruly passenger incidents have been reported so far this year, with penalties for interference or assault against crew reaching up to $43,658 per violation.