United Airlines Passenger Allegedly Assaulted Flight Attendant, Attempted to Enter Cockpit A United Airlines passenger was detained after allegedly assaulting a flight attendant and attempting to access the cockpit during a flight arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday evening. The incident occurred on United Flight 1837, which had arrived in New Jersey from the Dominican Republic around 6:25 p.m. The 48-year-old man, whose name was not disclosed, was removed from the aircraft by law enforcement. According to the Port Authority Police Department, he was taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, while a second individual on board declined medical attention. No other injuries were reported. Air traffic control audio captured the incident, with the pilot informing controllers of the situation. “A gentleman just attacked one of the flight attendants and is trying to open the forward main cabin door,” the pilot stated. The controller responded with alarm, saying, “Oh, my God,” before the pilot added, “Trying to access the flight deck.” United Airlines confirmed that law enforcement assisted the flight in handling the unruly passenger. In a statement, the airline expressed gratitude to the crew for their efforts to “ensure the safety of fellow crew members and our customers.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced it would investigate the incident. FAA data shows that nearly 500 unruly passenger reports have been filed so far this year, with 110 of those coming in April alone. The agency’s records indicate that unruly passenger incidents reached an all-time high of 5,973 in 2021 but have since declined. In 2025, the number dropped to 1,621.#federal_aviation_administration #united_airlines #newark_liberty_international_airport #port_authority_police_department #united_flight_1837
