A 48-year-old Pennsylvania man was reported to have assaulted two flight attendants and attempted to breach the cockpit on a United Airlines plane that arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport on May 2.
The crew of United Airlines Flight 1837, which originated in the Dominican Republic, declared an emergency, with the pilot stating, “United 1837, we are declaring an emergency. It seems like someone just attacked one of our flight attendants,” according to audio from ATC.com.
Port Authority Police Officers Luis Santa Cruz, Matthew Armamento and Tan Nguyen met and boarded the aircraft, taking custody of the man after he violently resisted arrest. It is alleged that the man pulled the hair of one flight attendant, bit the leg of another, attempted to open the cockpit door and did open a cabin door while the aircraft was taxiing to its gate. Crew members and passengers attempted to subdue the man prior to police arrival.
The man, who is hospitalized for evaluation, faces charges of assault, interference with transportation and resisting arrest.