United Flight 1551 diverted to Dulles

United Airlines diverted Flight 1551 to Washington Dulles International Airport on Thursday night after a passenger allegedly tried to open a cabin door while the plane was at 36,000 feet, according to the airline and air traffic control audio cited by NBC and CBS. The Boeing 737 Max 8 had departed Newark Liberty International Airport for Guatemala City with 145 passengers and six crew members on board. The plane landed safely at Dulles at about 8:38 p.m., CBS New York reported. Federal law enforcement officers met the aircraft on arrival, and the passenger was taken into custody, NBC New York reported. ### Which flight was involved, and where was it headed? Flight 1551 was a United Airlines service from Newark to Guatemala City on May 21, according to NBC New York and NBC Washington. NBC New York reported the flight was scheduled to leave Newark at about 7 p.m., while NorthJersey.com reported it departed at 6:46 p.m. (nbcnewyork.com) The aircraft was a Boeing 737 Max 8 carrying 145 passengers and six crew members, NBC New York, NBC Washington and CBS New York reported. Those outlets said the flight was diverted to Washington Dulles rather than continuing to Guatemala. ### What do reports say happened in the air? Air traffic control audio cited by NBC Washington and CBS New York said the passenger tried to open a door at cruising altitude. (nbcnewyork.com) In the recording, someone asked which door the passenger had tried to open, and the reply was: “Door 2L at 36,000 feet.” CBS New York reported the pilot also said the passenger assaulted a fellow traveler. NBC New York reported the passenger was said to have attacked another passenger near the door he allegedly tried to open. NBC Washington said United described the incident as involving “an unruly passenger.” No injuries were reported, according to CBS New York and NBC Washington. ### Who met the plane after it landed? (nbcwashington.com) Federal law enforcement officers met the aircraft after it landed at Dulles, NBC New York reported. CBS New York reported that the FBI responded to the incident at the airport but did not provide additional information. NBC New York said the passenger involved was taken into custody. (nbcnewyork.com) No information was immediately released on the passenger’s name, possible charges or a motive, NBC Washington reported. The reports reviewed did not identify any court filing or criminal complaint as of Saturday. ### What did United say about the disruption? United told CBS News the flight “was met by law enforcement to address an unruly passenger,” according to CBS New York’s report. (nbcnewyork.com) NBC Washington and NBC New York said the airline arranged overnight accommodations for passengers after the diversion. The flight was canceled after landing at Dulles, and United added a replacement flight for Friday morning, NBC New York and CBS New York reported. (nbcwashington.com) NBC Washington also reported that passengers were set to continue travel on Friday. ### What is the next concrete step in the case? As of Saturday, May 23, the clearest next step was any public action by federal law enforcement after the FBI response at Dulles. (nbcnewyork.com) CBS New York said the FBI responded but gave no further details, and NBC Washington said no charges or motive had been released. United’s immediate operational next step was the Friday morning replacement flight for passengers whose original service was canceled. (nbcwashington.com)