A United Airlines flight from O’Hare International Airport was diverted to Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday night due to a security concern with an unruly passenger, the airline said.
United Airlines Flight 2005, travelling from O’Hare to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, landed safely at the Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin, at around 9:10 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA said the crew reported a disturbance involving a passenger, but specifics regarding the incident haven’t been released.
The FBI confirmed to NBC News a subject was detained by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s office told WMTV NBC 15 in Madison a 75-year-old man was confused and suffering a mental health crisis.
Charges against the man won’t be pursued, sheriff’s officials said.
NBC News obtained air traffic control audio of a conversation between ground crews and flight personnel.
“I do not believe they ever cuffed him, but they were able to finally get control of him after multiple attempts to try to breach the cockpit,” a crew member is heard saying. “I believe at this point he is seated in a seat and flanked with law enforcement officers on either side.”
The aircraft later continued and arrived in Minneapolis at 2:19 a.m., according to the flight-tracking website FlightAware.com.
