Passenger removed from United flight to LAX after trying to open cockpit, exit doors

A passenger was removed from a United flight after attempting to enter the cockpit and trying to open the plane's exit doors.

According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration, United flight 1641 traveling from Chicago O'Hare International Airport on Sept. 8 returned to the gate after a passenger tried to open the flight deck and exit doors.

The passenger was not successful, and law enforcement greeted the passenger at the gate. The FAA said the incident occurred around 9 p.m. CT.

The flight on a Boeing 737 was traveling to Los Angeles International Airport.

A statement from United echoed the FAA, saying the flight taxiing to the runway in Chicago returned to the gate due to a "passenger disturbance."

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While cases of unruly passengers on airlines are down, the FAA said it has referred 39 cases to the FBI so far this year, part of an ongoing partnership aimed to ensure unruly airline passengers face criminal prosecution, when warranted.

The rate of unruly passenger incidents has dropped by over 80% since record highs in early 2021, the FAA said, but incidents still continue.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Passenger removed from United flight from Chicago O'Hare to LAX