Passenger detained at Newark Airport after altercation on United Airlines flight, police say

A passenger was detained at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Saturday after an incident on board a United Airlines flight, police said.

It happened just after 6 p.m.

Port Authority Police said they received a report of an altercation on United Airlines flight 1837 as it arrived at Newark Airport.

In audio from Air Traffic Control, the pilot says a man attacked a flight attendant and tried to open the main cabin door.

Officers detained a 48-year-old passenger, who police say was taken to a local hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.

Police said one individual on the plane refused medical attention, and no other injuries were reported.

In a statement, United Airlines said, "Local law enforcement met United flight 1837 upon its scheduled arrival at Newark International Airport to address an unruly passenger. We're grateful to our crew for their efforts to ensure the safety of fellow crew members and our customers."

The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement that the flight originated from Gregorio Luperón International Airport in the Dominican Republic.

FAA officials said airlines have reported almost 500 unruly passenger incidents so far this year. Any person who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crewmembers can face criminal charges and civil penalties costing up to $3,658 per violation, the statement read.