United Airlines flight from Newark makes emergency landing in D.C. after passenger attempts to open door at 36,000 feet, pilot says

A United Airlines flight from Newark Liberty International Airport was forced to make an emergency landing in Washington D.C. on Thursday night.

The pilot reported to air traffic control that an unruly passenger on Flight 1551, a Boeing 737 Max 8 bound for Guatemala City with 145 passengers and six crew members on board, tried to open a door mid-flight — at 36,000 feet.

The plane landed safely in Washington at 8:38 p.m.

United told CBS News in a statement that the flight “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.”

The FBI said it responded to the incident at Dulles Airport but didn’t provide any additional information.  

The following is a conversation between air traffic controllers and the pilot of Flight 1551:

Tower: “United 1551, they’re asking me what door he, the passenger, tried to open.”

Pilot: “Door 2L at 36,000 feet and then [the passenger] assaulted a fellow passenger.”

Tower: “United 1551, any injuries we should be aware of?”

Pilot: “Not to our knowledge.”