United Airlines Flight Lands in Madison Due to Unruly Passenger

A United Airlines flight en route to Minneapolis, Minnesota, made an emergency landing in Madison, Wisconsin. The incident occurred on a Friday evening after a passenger allegedly tried to enter the cockpit, according to audio from air traffic control.

The flight had departed from Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport around 8 p.m. CDT. United Airlines released a statement indicating the plane landed safely at Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport to handle a security issue involving an unruly passenger.

Flight tracking data revealed the emergency landing happened approximately 90 minutes after departure. United Airlines did not provide specific details about the security issue. However, air traffic control audio reviewed by WISN indicated the passenger made several attempts to breach the cockpit.

I do not believe they ever cuffed him, but they were able to finally get control of him after multiple attempts to try to breach the cockpit, a crew member mentioned in the air traffic control audio. I believe at this point he is seated in a seat and flanked with law enforcement officers on either side.

Additional information from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) scanner audio suggested there were five off-duty law enforcement officers on the plane who detained the individual.

The unruly passenger was removed from the aircraft at approximately 10:30 p.m. CDT, as confirmed by sheriff’s office communications.

The FBI issued a statement noting that on May 29, 2026, the bureau was informed about a commercial flight diverted to Dane County Regional Airport due to a security concern. The FBI Milwaukee’s Madison Resident Agency, along with local law enforcement, responded swiftly. The Dane County Sheriff’s Office detained the subject, allowing the remaining passengers to continue their journey.