Chaos on a United Airlines flight: passenger assaults a flight attendant and attempts to enter the cockpit

A 48-year-old passenger assaulted a flight attendant and attempted to enter the cockpit of the United Airlines Flight 1837 last Saturday, as the aircraft was landing at Newark Liberty International Airport from the Dominican Republic.

The man, whose identity was not disclosed, was arrested by the Port Authority Police Department and taken to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. A second person on board declined medical attention, and no other injuries were reported.

The incident was recorded on an air traffic control tape. "A man has just attacked one of the flight attendants and is trying to open the front main door of the cockpit," the pilot alerted. "Oh my God," the controller responded. "He is trying to access the cockpit," the pilot continued.

The audio also captured the flight requesting an emergency vehicle upon its arrival in Newark, around 6:25 p.m. on Saturday.

United Airlines confirmed that authorities boarded the flight to handle a disruptive passenger and thanked the crew for their efforts to "ensure the safety of other crew members and our customers."

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it will investigate the incident.

The case is not isolated. Just a week earlier, a passenger attempted to open the cockpit door on a Delta flight while the plane was taxiing on the runway in Atlanta, frustrated by a delay of several hours. "Take me to the door — I want to get off. Or I'll get off myself," said the passenger before attempting to open the door.

In March 2025, a couple was arrested in Miami after trying to forcefully board an American Airlines flight to Cancun, in yet another incident that highlighted the rise of violent behavior in commercial aviation.

There have also been incidents on flights departing from Miami, including passengers who barricaded themselves in the bathrooms during the flight.

So far in 2026, the FAA has received nearly 500 reports of unruly passengers, with 110 incidents occurring just in April.

Attempts to access the cockpit are considered one of the most serious threats in aviation, as they pose a direct risk to flight safety. Depending on the severity of the conduct, offenders may face fines of up to $43,658 for violations, federal criminal charges, or both.

Reports of unruly passengers reached an all-time high of 5,973 in 2021, according to FAA data, and have decreased since then to 1,621 last year, although the pace of incidents in 2026 keeps aviation authorities on alert.