CHICAGO / NEWARK — A United Airlines transcontinental flight was forced to temporarily initiate an emergency diversion on Tuesday after an elderly passenger became trapped inside one of the aircraft’s lavatories at 35,000 feet.
United Airlines Flight UA1900 departed Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) on schedule at 7:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday, October 13, bound for Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
About two hours and thirty minutes into the flight, while the Boeing 737 MAX 8 (registration N27274) was cruising over Minnesota at flight level FL350, crew members realized a 69-year-old woman was locked inside the aft lavatory due to a malfunctioning door mechanism.
According to flight deck communications, the flight attendants attempted to open the jammed door from the outside using standard procedures, but the latch remained firmly stuck.
After 15 minutes of unsuccessful attempts—including the crew utilizing onboard tools to pry open the door—the captain contacted air traffic control to report the situation. Expressing concern for the passenger’s safety and well-being, the captain indicated that he was unwilling to leave her locked inside for more than 20 minutes and began preparations for an immediate diversion.
Flight tracking data shows the Boeing 737 MAX 8 initiated a descent toward Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), dropping to 27,000 feet as controllers cleared the aircraft for an emergency approach.
However, mid-descent, flight attendants were finally able to free the passenger from the lavatory. With the passenger safe and unharmed, the flight crew canceled the emergency landing over Chicago. The captain climbed the aircraft back up to 37,000 feet and resumed the route toward New Jersey.
Flight UA1900 touched down safely at Newark Liberty International Airport approximately four hours and thirty minutes after taking off from Seattle. Medical personnel were waiting at the gate to evaluate the 69-year-old woman on seat 27A, who was reported to be in stable condition following her ordeal.
