A flight headed to Guatemala was diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport after a passenger tried to open a door while flying at 36,000 feet, according to an air traffic control recording.
United Airlines Flight 1551 from Newark to Guatemala City had 145 passengers and six crew members on board during a chaotic incident caused by a person the airline called “an unruly passenger.”
“What door did the passenger try to open?” someone can be heard asking at about 8:20 p.m. Thursday on an air traffic control recording via ATC.com.
“Door 2L at 36,000 feet, and then assaulted a fellow passenger,” someone replies.
A Guatamala City-bound United Airlines flight — UA1551, operated on a 737 MAX 8 — had to divert to Dulles International Airport Thursday after an unruly passenger apparently tried to open a cabin door mid-flight. A statement from United said, in part: “United flight 1551 landed safely at Washington Dulles and was met by law enforcement to address an unruly passenger. The flight was canceled, with a replacement flight added for Friday morning, and customers were provided overnight accommodations.” #AirTravel #Aviation #Dulles #IAD
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The Boeing 737 MAX 8 landed safely at Dulles and was met by law enforcement, United said. No one reported injuries.
Passengers were given overnight accommodations and were set to fly out Friday.
No information was immediately released on the passenger’s name, any charges or a potential motive.
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