On May 2, United Airlines flight 1837 arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport prompted an emergency response after crew and airport staff reported an alleged onboard attack. Air-traffic-control audio suggests a passenger attacked a flight attendant and attempted to open the forward main cabin door. A 48-year-old man was detained and taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation; one person refused medical aid and no other injuries were reported. United praised its crew and said law enforcement met the flight.
United Flight 1837 Declares Emergency After Passenger Allegedly Attacks Flight Attendant, Tries to Open Cabin Door
Planes on the tarmac at Newark Liberty International Airport in New JerseyCredit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty
A United Airlines flight that had just arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport prompted an emergency response after crew and airport staff reported an onboard altercation on May 2.
A United Airlines airplane proceeds to a gate at Newark Liberty International Airport in New JerseyCredit: Gary Hershorn/Getty
What Reporters Say
According to CBS News and ABC7 New York, Port Authority Police responded to United Airlines flight 1837 at about 6 p.m. local time after reports of an "altercation." Air-traffic-control audio obtained by the Daily Mail captures airport staff relaying the pilot's concern that a passenger had allegedly attacked a flight attendant and attempted to open the forward main cabin door.
A United Airlines jetCredit: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images
"A gentleman just attacked one of the flight attendants and tried to open the forward main cabin door," an airport staff member can be heard saying on the recording. The pilot also requested a gate immediately and asked that law enforcement meet the aircraft, saying, "We had someone try to pop our door open."
Aftermath and Official Response
Port Authority officers detained a 48-year-old man, who has not been publicly identified, and transported him to a nearby hospital for psychiatric evaluation. The flight carried 170 passengers and six crew members; CBS News reports one person refused medical attention and no other injuries were reported.
United Airlines released a statement to CBS News: "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." PEOPLE has contacted United, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Port Authority Police Department and Newark Liberty Airport for comment.
Context and Caution
Details about the passenger's motives and condition have not been publicly confirmed beyond the note that he was taken for psychiatric evaluation. The incident is described as "alleged" pending any official charges or further statements from authorities.
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