United flight diverted after passenger tries door

United Airlines Flight 1551 diverted to Washington Dulles International Airport on May 21 after a passenger allegedly tried to open a cabin door while the plane was at 36,000 feet, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, air traffic control audio and local news reports. The flight had departed Newark Liberty International Airport for Guatemala City and landed safely in Virginia, with no injuries reported, NBC News and NBC New York said. United said the diversion followed an incident involving an “unruly passenger,” and authorities met the aircraft after landing. ### Which flight was involved, and where did it land? United Flight 1551 was operating from Newark to Guatemala City when it diverted to Dulles on Thursday evening, according to NBC News and NBC New York. Flight tracking details cited by NorthJersey.com showed the plane departed Newark at 6:46 p.m. and landed at Dulles at 8:38 p.m. (nbcnews.com) The aircraft was a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 145 passengers and six crew members, according to NBC Washington and NorthJersey.com. The FAA told NBC News the flight landed safely after the diversion. ### What did crews report in the air? (nbcnews.com) Air traffic control audio cited by NBC-owned stations said a passenger tried to open a door while the aircraft was cruising at 36,000 feet. In one exchange reported by multiple outlets, someone asked which door the passenger had tried to open, and a crew member replied that it was “door 2L at 36,000 feet.” (nbcwashington.com) NBC Washington and other local reports said the same audio also indicated the passenger assaulted another traveler during the incident. United did not publicly identify the passenger. ### What did United say about the diversion? (nbcwashington.com) United said Flight 1551 diverted to Dulles because of “an unruly passenger,” according to statements carried by NBC New York and other local outlets. The airline said law enforcement met the aircraft after landing and that no injuries were reported. Dulles airport authorities and local outlets said officers responded after the plane arrived. Some reports also said the FBI responded at the airport; those accounts were carried by local and secondary outlets, though the core facts confirmed across primary reports were that the plane landed safely and law enforcement met it. (nbcnewyork.com) ### Can a passenger actually open an airliner door at cruising altitude? At 36,000 feet, cabin pressurization makes it effectively impossible to open a plug-type aircraft door during flight, according to standard aircraft design principles. In this case, however, the reported attempt still prompted a diversion because crews treat efforts to tamper with exits or assault passengers as onboard security incidents. (nbcwashington.com) This is an inference based on the reported altitude, the diversion and the airline’s description of an unruly passenger. The reported door location matters mainly because it came from crew communications during the incident. Public reports did not indicate any damage to the aircraft or any injury to passengers or crew. ### What happens next for passengers and investigators? NorthJersey.com and aviation coverage published after the diversion said passengers were expected to continue to Guatemala City after the overnight interruption. (nbcnews.com) United had not, in the reports reviewed, publicly released additional details about the passenger’s identity or any charges. (yahoo.com) The next formal updates are likely to come from federal authorities or court records if charges are filed. As of the reports published on May 22, the FAA had confirmed the safe landing and United had confirmed the diversion, no injuries and the law-enforcement response at Dulles. (nbcnews.com) (northjersey.com)