Donald McDonald Forces Madison Diversion of United Passengers
Passengers on a United Airlines Boeing 737 were diverted to Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday night after a 75-year-old man became unruly and appeared to be in a mental health crisis. The flight later resumed to Minneapolis after landing safely in Wisconsin.
McDonald on United Flight 2005
Donald McDonald, 75, caused the diversion after the flight left Chicago O'Hare International Airport at 8:02 p.m. CDT on May 30, 2026, headed for Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The Dane County Sheriff's Office said his behavior led to the landing at Dane County Regional Airport at 9:29 p.m. CDT.
The sheriff's office said McDonald was detained, his family in Minnesota was contacted and no criminal charges were being pursued at that time. The office also said his family was traveling to Wisconsin to reunite with him.
Madison Landing Details
United described the diversion as a response to a security concern with an unruly passenger. One pilot told air traffic controllers that it was their understanding that law enforcement officers on board had subdued a suspect on board.
There were no reported injuries among the 147 passengers and six crew members. The FBI said it was investigating the incident.
Return to Minneapolis
The plane departed Madison at 1:25 a.m. CDT on Saturday and landed at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport at 2:19 a.m. Saturday. For the passengers, the immediate consequence was an overnight delay and an unplanned stop in Wisconsin before the trip continued to its destination.
