Passenger Detained After Assault on United Flight at Newark

A 48-year-old passenger on United Airlines Flight 1837 was detained by Port Authority Police after allegedly attacking a flight attendant and attempting to open a cabin door near the cockpit as the plane landed at Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday evening.

The Boeing 737 Max flight, which originated from Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, touched down around 6 p.m. A crew member declared an emergency to air traffic controllers, reporting that a passenger had assaulted a flight attendant and tried to access the forward main cabin door and flight deck. Audio recordings captured the exchange, with the crew member stating, "A gentleman just attacked one of the flight attendants and tried to open the forward main cabin door." The pilot requested law enforcement and emergency vehicles meet the aircraft upon arrival.

Officers boarded the plane at Terminal B without further incident and took the man into custody. He was transported to a local hospital for psychiatric evaluation. One individual on board declined medical attention, and authorities reported no other injuries among the 170 passengers and six crew members.

In a statement, United Airlines said, "Local law...