On Friday, September 8, a 31-year-old man aboard a United Airlines flight bound for Los Angeles caused an emergency return to the Chicago O’Hare International Airport gate after trying to open the cockpit.

The man’s attempt occurred on the runway before the aircraft could begin its ascent. In addition to his cockpit breach attempt, he made an effort to open the plane’s exit doors.

The timely intervention of the flight attendants, combined with the onboard security personnel, ensured the well-being of everyone on board. Fortunately, the incident resulted in no physical harm to the passengers or crew.

Unofficial sources indicate the individual might have been undergoing a mental health crisis. However, his exact motive has yet to be verified.

Air carriers worldwide emphasize the importance of a robust security framework, providing extensive training to their crew, and implementing emergency measures to address potential threats.

Following the occurrence, the man was taken into custody. 

Authorities noted that similar disruptions by passengers have happened recently, with an incident in July involving a person jumping from a plane wing. 

According to the FAA’s recent data from September 3rd, 2023 has seen over 1300 cases of passenger misconduct, a decrease from the nearly 6000 incidents in 2022.