United passenger tries to open door mid-flight, plane diverts to Dulles

A United Airlines flight bound for Guatemala City was forced to make an unplanned landing at Washington Dulles International Airport on Thursday night after a passenger allegedly attempted to open a cabin door at cruising altitude and assaulted a fellow traveler, federal authorities said.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that United Flight 1551 departed Newark Liberty International Airport and landed safely at Dulles at approximately 8:30 p.m. on Thursday after the crew reported a passenger disturbance.

Air traffic control audio obtained by ABC News captured the exchange between the flight crew and Potomac Approach controllers. “What door did the passenger try to open?” a controller asked. “Door 2L at 36,000 feet, and then assaulted a fellow passenger,” the pilot replied.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was carrying 145 passengers and six crew members when the incident unfolded. FlightAware records show the aircraft departed Newark at 6:46 p.m. and touched down at Dulles at 8:38 p.m. — well short of its scheduled arrival in Guatemala City.

A United Airlines spokesperson confirmed the flight landed safely and was met by federal law enforcement, who took the passenger into custody upon arrival. The man is alleged to have attacked another passenger near the door he attempted to open; the nature of that traveler’s injuries was not immediately known. No one else was reported hurt. The original flight was canceled and passengers were provided overnight accommodations, with a replacement flight departing Friday morning. No charges had been announced as of Friday afternoon, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Though cabin pressurization prevents a door from being opened during flight, the attempt constitutes a serious federal offense. The FAA noted that airlines have reported more than 600 unruly passenger incidents so far in 2026 and said violators can face civil penalties of up to $43,658 per violation, according to the agency, in addition to potential criminal charges.

The incident follows a similar disruption last month in which a United flight from Germany to Chicago was forced to divert to Boston’s Logan Airport. Massachusetts State Police said the individual aboard that flight had been restrained but was cooperative by the time troopers boarded the plane.