United Airlines Flight Diverted After Passenger Tries to Storm Cockpit

FBI and local police met the Chicago-to-Minneapolis aircraft after an unruly passenger attempted to breach the flight deck late Friday, forcing an emergency diversion.

A United Airlines flight from Chicago to Minneapolis was diverted Friday night after a passenger attempted to force entry into the cockpit.
FBI agents and local police responded to the diverted aircraft and took the passenger into custody.
The flight resumed and continued to its Minneapolis destination after the incident was contained.
United Airlines has not publicly named the passenger or disclosed the diversion airport.
The attempted cockpit breach is a federal offense under aviation security law.

A United Airlines flight from Chicago to Minneapolis was diverted late Friday after a passenger attempted to breach the cockpit, the Wail confirmed from published reports.

FBI agents and local police met the aircraft at the diversion airport and took the passenger into custody without further incident.

The flight subsequently continued to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, according to the Guardian, which first reported the diversion Friday.

United Airlines described the individual as an “unruly passenger.” No injuries to crew or other passengers were reported.

Attempting to enter a commercial flight deck is a federal felony under U.S. aviation security statutes. The FBI has jurisdiction over in-flight criminal incidents aboard domestic carriers.

The Wail was unable to confirm the diversion airport or the passenger’s identity by publication time. Federal charges, if filed, are expected to be announced through the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the relevant district. The FBI has not issued a public statement as of Friday evening.