Unruly passenger prompts United to divert flight that was headed to MSP

Kyeland Jackson, The Minnesota Star Tribune on May 30, 2026

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An unruly passenger on a United Airlines flight headed to the Twin Cities prompted officials to divert the aircraft late Friday.

The flight, which originated in Chicago, landed safely in Madison, Wis. There were no injuries reported on the plane.

The unruly passenger was a 75-year-old man who appeared “confused and in mental health crisis,” according to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office.

“The passenger’s family in Minnesota was contacted and is traveling to Madison to be reunited,” according to the sheriff’s office.

“The FBI’s Milwaukee/Madison’s resident agency immediately responded and is handling the investigation. They advise no criminal charges are being pursued at this time.”

The flight, which resumed after the passenger was detained by local law enforcement in Madison, landed at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport early Saturday. The United flight was carrying more than 100 passengers and six crew members, officials told NBC News.

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