Crime & Safety
Unruly Passenger On United Flight Prompts Emergency Landing At Dulles
Reports say the person attempted to open a cabin door mid-flight, prompting the Guatemala-bound plane to make an emergency landing.
DULLES, VA – An international flight was diverted to Dulles International Airport on Thursday night after a passenger reportedly tried to open a door mid-flight.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, United Airlines Flight 1551 landed safely at Washington Dulles International Airport around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday after the crew reported a passenger disturbance. The flight had departed from Newark Liberty International Airport and was headed to Guatemala.
According to reports by NBC New York and others, the disturbance occurred when a passenger tried to open a plane door at 36,000 feet. The person also reportedly attacked another passenger near the door.
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The flight landed safely with its 145 passengers and 6 crew about 5 hours after leaving New Jersey. The rest of the trip was canceled, with a new flight scheduled for Friday.
The passenger who caused the disturbance was reportedly met by federal law enforcement upon arrival.
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