United Airlines Flight makes emergency landing after security scare in air
The pilot reportedly issued a hijacking alert code during the mid-air disturbance
A United Airlines flight bound for Minneapolis was forced to make an emergency diversion to Wisconsin on Friday, May 29, after a passenger allegedly attempted to force entry into the cockpit mid-flight, prompting a hijacking alert and an arrest upon landing, authorities said.
The incident occurred aboard United Airlines flight UA2005, which departed from Chicago O’Hare International Airport at approximately 8 p.m. local time for what was scheduled to be a routine two-hour journey to Minneapolis.
According to the airline and local reports, the situation escalated when an unidentified male passenger allegedly became disruptive and attempted to breach the cockpit door while the aircraft was in the air. Witnesses reportedly said the individual was “ranting in Russian” before a struggle broke out onboard.
In response to the developing emergency, the flight crew reportedly issued transponder squawk code 7500 — an internationally recognized aviation signal indicating a potential hijacking situation — allowing air traffic control and authorities to respond discreetly.
The flight was subsequently diverted to Dane County Regional Airport (DCRA) in Madison, Wisconsin, where law enforcement officers were already awaiting the aircraft’s arrival.
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the passenger was removed from the plane and taken into custody. No injuries were reported among the 147 passengers and six crew members onboard.
United Airlines described the individual as an “unruly passenger” but did not release further details regarding the suspect or the circumstances surrounding the incident.
According to aviation tracking service FlightRadar24, squawk code 7500 is used by pilots to discreetly alert air traffic control to a potential hijacking emergency, triggering coordinated responses from aviation security and law enforcement agencies.
The DCRA resumed normal operations following the incident, while federal authorities have launched an investigation into the matter.
Officials have not yet released the identity of the arrested passenger, and the motive behind the alleged attempt remains under review.
