Hear it: Newark-bound flight calls for help after flight attendant attacked

A United Airlines flight declared an emergency as it neared landing at Newark Liberty International Airport Saturday evening, after a pilot said a passenger became violent.

Audio from ATC.com captured the exchange between the jet, which had 170 passengers and six crew members aboard.

Here is a partial transcript, edited for issues like garbled transmission:

Pilot: Ground, United 1837, declaring an emergency.  It seems like someone just attacked one of our flight attendants.  Can you get us?

Tower: Yeah, I’m moving them in just a sec.

(skip)

Pilot: Can you have emergency vehicles come meet the aircraft out here?

 Tower: Do you have a nature of emergency?

Pilot: A gentleman just attacked one of the flight attendants and tried to open the forward main cabin door.

Tower: Oh my God.

Pilot: Trying to gain access to the flight deck.

Tower: Alright, we’re calling.

Video captured by NBC New York showed the jet, a Boeing 737 Max 8, surrounded by PAPD police vehicle soon after landing.

Port Authority Police tell News 4 that they received a report of an altercation as the plane was coming, heading for Terminal B. 

“When the plane arrived at the gate, police detained a 48-year-old male without incident who was taken to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation,” a Port Authority statement said.  “One individual on the plane refused medical attention; no other injuries were reported.”

The name of the man believed to be responsible for the scare has not been released.

In a statement Sunday, United said the flight landed around 6:25 P.M. after “a passenger disturbance.”  The flight originated from Gregorio Luperón International Airport in the Dominican Republic.

United says the FAA will investigate the incident.

“We’re grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of fellow crew members and our customers,” the airline said.

Airlines have reported almost 500 unruly passenger incidents so far in 2026.