CHICAGO (WBBM Newsradio) – Federal investigators do not plan to pursue criminal charges after a passenger disturbance aboard a United Airlines flight from Chicago forced the aircraft to divert to Wisconsin.
United Flight 2005 was traveling from O'Hare International Airport to Minneapolis on Friday night when a 75-year-old passenger allegedly attempted multiple times to access the cockpit, according to authorities and airline officials.
Air traffic control audio indicated the pilot issued a hijacking alert before diverting the Boeing 737 to Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin.
Authorities said law enforcement officers who were aboard the flight eventually restrained the passenger. The plane landed safely shortly before 9 p.m., where deputies with the Dane County Sheriff's Office removed the man from the aircraft.
The flight was carrying 147 passengers and six crew members. No injuries were reported.
Passengers later described the man as appearing confused, and investigators now believe he was experiencing a mental health crisis.
The FBI is leading the investigation and has determined no criminal charges will be pursued.
After landing in Madison, authorities conducted security checks on the aircraft before it resumed its trip to Minneapolis.
