Travel | unruly passenger Ground Control's Response to Plane Incident: 'Oh My God' Suspect allegedly tried to open cabin door on Saturday night By Kate Seamons withNewser.AI Posted May 4, 2026 7:00 AM CDT Copied Two United Airlines Boeing 737s are shown parked at the gate, Thursday, July 7, 2022, at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee) A United flight's approach to Newark Liberty International Airport turned tense Saturday evening when a passenger allegedly attacked a flight attendant and tried to get into the cockpit, authorities say. A 48-year-old man was restrained and later taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation, according to the Port Authority Police Department. One person declined medical treatment, CNN reports, and no other injuries were reported. Air traffic control audio captured the pilot of United Flight 1837 declaring an emergency, saying a man had assaulted a crew member and attempted to open the forward cabin door and access the flight deck, reports NBC News. "Oh, my God," ground control said in response. The Boeing 737 Max 8 was carrying 170 passengers and six crew from the Dominican Republic. It landed around 6:25pm. The FAA said it will investigate; the episode adds to nearly 500 unruly-passenger reports filed with the agency so far this year. Read These Next Martha Stewart in hot water over her Halloween costume. Casual angler reels in million-dollar fish. Coroner blames experimental peptides in actor's death. A look at why everyone appears to be reading the same books. Report an error