United flight diverted to Wisconsin after passenger’s ‘multiple attempts’ to breach cockpit, crew member says

A United Airlines flight from Chicago to Minneapolis was diverted to Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday night after a “reluctant passenger” caused a safety concern on board, the airline said.

Air traffic control records reviewed by CNN show that the crew of a 2005 United flight described a passenger who “made multiple attempts to breach the cockpit” before law enforcement officers on board restrained him.

FBI spokeswoman Caroline Clancy told CNN that the passenger was detained by local authorities after the plane landed in Madison.

Federal agents and law enforcement responded to the airport, but authorities did not identify the passenger, whether any charges were filed, or what specific actions led to his detention.

CNN has reached out to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and Madison airport officials for additional information.

Mike Rundle, one of the passengers on the plane, told CNN about the tense situation in the air.

Rundle said a fellow passenger “saw the man standing at the front of the plane, near the cockpit, reaching for what he described as a flight attendant, and then had multiple men hold him back.”

In the ATC audio recording reviewed by CNN, the crew is heard telling ground controllers at Dane County Regional Airport that law enforcement officers traveling on the plane were able to gain control of the passenger.

The crew told ground controllers that the passenger was “seated in a seat” and “held to the side” by law enforcement officers on both sides before law enforcement officers outside boarded the plane.

Rundle said he witnessed “some commotion” a few rows in front of him and people helped the man back into his seat.

He added that the plane then “made a U-turn and was diverted to Madison.” After the flight changed direction, police boarded the plane, handcuffed the man and removed him from the plane, Rundle said.

The FBI was notified and “FBI Milwaukee’s Madison Resident Agency and local law enforcement partners responded immediately,” Clancy told CNN. “One person was taken into custody by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and the passengers then continued their flight.”

Signs of potential trouble appeared before the plane took to the air.

Before the flight took off, Rundle said the man, who was later detained, stood up while taxiing at “O’Hare” International Airport and was repeatedly asked to sit down.

Rundle said crew members asked if anyone on the ship could speak Russian and asked that person to “come to the front of the plane to help interpret.” The man finally sat down and the flight began.

The airline said the Boeing 737 plane, carrying 147 passengers and 6 crew, landed safely and no injuries were reported.

The plane landed safely after the crew reported passenger discomfort, the Federal Aviation Administration told CNN in a statement, adding that airlines have reported more than 640 passenger irregularities so far this year.

The FAA “investigates all incidents of passenger harassment” and “takes enforcement action against any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crew and may propose fines of up to $43,658 per violation.”

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