In a recent incident, a Swiss Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing after an unruly passenger attempted to enter the cockpit, the airline reported.
Flight 19, flying from Newark Liberty International Airport to Zurich, Switzerland on March 31, had to turn back shortly after departure at 9:50 p.m., Swiss Airlines confirmed.
The passenger, who remains unnamed, reportedly "behaved abusively towards the crew," resulting in minor injuries to one cabin crew member, according to Swiss Airlines.
During the incident, the pilot informed air traffic controllers that the passenger was escalating and had made an attempt to access the cockpit, as heard in air traffic control audio obtained by CBS News.
Concerned about the passenger's behavior, the pilot expressed uncertainty about the individual's potential aggression towards others on board, noting that the passenger was freely moving around the cabin.
Upon arrival at Newark Liberty International Airport around 11 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration reported that the flight had to return. Swiss Airlines confirmed that there were 236 passengers and 13 crew members on board the Airbus A330. All passengers were accommodated on alternative flights, while the crew, including the injured member, returned to Switzerland.
The New Jersey Port Authority police took the disruptive passenger into custody and charged them with interference with transportation and assault. The passenger was later released with a court date, as stated by the agency.
An investigation into the incident will be conducted by the FAA.
