Crime & Safety
Plane Lands In WI After Passenger Tries To Breach Cockpit: Reports
The United flight was diverted to Madison, Wisconsin, where authorities removed an unruly passenger, according to the airline.
MADISON, WI — A flight that departed Chicago on Friday was forced to make an emergency landing in Wisconsin after a passenger tried to breach the cockpit multiple times, according to officials and reports.
A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that United flight 2005 landed safely at Dane County Regional Airport in Madison around 9:10 p.m. after the crew reported a passenger disturbance.
In an email to The Associated Press, a United Airlines spokesperson said the plan landed to "address a security concern with an unruly passenger."
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The flight had departed from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and was headed to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport.
After the plane landed in Madison, the passenger was detained by local authorities, FBI spokesperson Caroline Clancy told CNN.
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Air traffic control audio reviewed by both CNN and NBC News captured an exchange between ground and flight personnel leading up to the landing.
“I do not believe they ever cuffed him, but they were able to finally get control of him after multiple attempts to try to breach the cockpit,” a crew member said, according to NBC. “I believe at this point he is seated in a seat and flanked with law enforcement officers on either side.”
The person was detained by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, reports said. The flight continued to Minneapolis, where it landed early Saturday morning.
The Boeing 737-900 had 147 passengers and six crew aboard. No injuries were reported, according to the airline.
It's unclear if the passenger will face charges.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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