A United Airlines flight declared an emergency 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 was arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey at approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday.
A 48-year-old man became unruly, prompting Port Authority Police to detain him upon landing and transport him to a local hospital for psychiatric evaluation.
There were no reported injuries, and United Airlines praised the crew for their swift action in ensuring the safety of all passengers and staff.
The passenger could face federal criminal charges and civil penalties from the FAA, depending on the severity of the incident.
Under federal law, anyone who assaults or interferes with a flight crew member may face up to 20 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000.
The FAA operates under a strict zero-tolerance policy for unruly passengers and may impose fines independently of criminal charges.
