MADISON, Wis. — A United Airlines flight scheduled for Minneapolis diverted to Madison last Friday night after an unruly passenger was restrained and taken into custody by law‑enforcement officers. The United flight 2005 from Chicago to Minneapolis landed safely at Madison airport to address a security concern with the passenger, officials said.
United’s spokesperson emailed that the plane’s crew notified air‑traffic control that it “took some time” to manage the passenger, who became a threat to crew and other passengers. Deputies from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office met the aircraft when it landed and removed the person, who lay, according to the airline, on handcuffs before being handed over to federal authorities for investigation.
Mike Rundle, a passenger on board, said the man – who appeared to be in his 70s – seemed confused. He broke a seat, and the flight attendants had to ask him to sit down and even query whether anyone on board spoke Russian. The crew claimed the flight was calm overall and praised the crew’s handling of the incident.
After the arrest, the plane continued its journey and arrived in Minneapolis early Saturday morning. The incident highlights growing concerns over passenger safety and the protocols in place to ensure secure air travel.
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