FAA investigating – A passenger on United Airlines Flight 3989 tried to open the cabin door during a short trip from Indianapolis toward Houston, forcing an emergency landing. FAA investigators are looking into the incident as new data shows the year’s tally of unruly passenger r
By the time the jet touched down back in Indianapolis, the flight had barely been in the air long enough for anyone to settle into the ordinary rhythm of a regional route. Tuesday’s disruption came fast—so fast the aircraft was forced to turn around after a passenger tried to open the cabin door.
United Airlines Flight 3989, operated by Mesa Airlines, made the emergency landing back in Indianapolis after flying for just 15 minutes. The flight had been heading to Houston.
In audio recorded by ATC.com, the pilot told air traffic controllers, “We have a belligerent passenger trying to open the cabin door,” adding, “We have passengers trying to get him secured in a seat right now.”
The Embraer 175 regional jet landed safely and taxied to the gate, where the disruptive passenger was deplaned, a spokesperson for Mesa Airlines told CNN. Airport police responded and detained the passenger, the Indianapolis Airport Authority told CNN.
The aircraft later continued its trip to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, landing nearly two hours late.
The incident is now under scrutiny by the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency has reported that more than 830 unruly passengers have been reported so far this year.
It’s not an isolated case in recent weeks. A man tried to open an exit door of a Frontier Airlines plane before being restrained by a passenger who was a jiu-jitsu instructor. Last month. a United Airlines plane diverted to Madison. Wisconsin. after a passenger made “multiple attempts to try to breach the cockpit. ” according to air traffic control audio.
The FAA has warned that disruptive passengers can face criminal charges. It also said civil penalties can exceed $43,000 per violation.
Even after this flight’s passenger was removed and the aircraft eventually reached Houston, the questions linger—how close the situation came to becoming unmanageable, and how quickly crews have to rely on passengers and airport response when the cabin turns chaotic mid-route.
FAA investigation unruly passenger cabin door attempted opening United Airlines Flight 3989 Mesa Airlines Embraer 175 Indianapolis emergency landing Houston landing delay airport police detained passenger