A United Airlines jet diverted to Omaha on December 28 after a passenger punched a fellow traveler while insisting the flight was “a simulation.”
Jordan Robert Langston, 25, of Ogden, Utah, faces federal charges following the onboard assault. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson denied bail on December 30, citing mental health and substance abuse concerns detailed in court filings. The judge set a 45-day criminal deadline of February 13.
Flight 2410 left Washington Dulles International Airport at approximately 6:15 PM EST on December 28 bound for Salt Lake City. Shortly after the Boeing 737 took off, Langston walked to the front of the cabin waving his hands above his head.
“This is a simulation,” he announced to passengers. When a flight attendant asked what he meant, Langston said: “This flight.”
He walked toward the rear, stepping on one crew member’s foot and pushing her in the chest. As the flight attendant attempted to move him away, Langston pushed her again and insisted he needed to get off the plane. A flight attendant warned him that continuing would force the plane back to Washington. Langston repeated that everyone was “under a simulation” before sitting.
The captain issued a Level 2 security threat and enlisted four passengers designated under United’s procedures as Able-Bodied Assistants. These passengers agreed to sit near Langston and intervene if his behavior escalated again.
Roughly 30 minutes later, Langston told one of the Able-Bodied Assistants that he wanted to stand up. After being informed that the pilots required him to remain seated, Langston forcibly stood and entered the aisle. He began jumping up and down and shadowboxing before striking one of the Able-Bodied Assistants in the face.
Passengers Restrained Attacker as Pilot Diverted
The assistant immediately took Langston to the ground in the aisle. Four Able-Bodied Assistants and a flight attendant moved him to the back of the cabin and secured him with plastic flex restraints. Langston began screaming and making comments about death, according to the FBI’s criminal complaint filed by Special Agent Patrick Manion.
The captain diverted to Eppley Airfield in Omaha. FlightAware tracking data shows the Boeing 737 was at 26,000 feet over Nebraska when the diversion began. The jet landed shortly after 8 PM CST.
Airport Authority Police removed Langston and took him to Douglas County Corrections. The remaining passengers continued from Omaha and reached Salt Lake City later that evening.
Court Sets February Deadline After Denying Release
Langston appeared in U.S. District Court in Omaha on December 30. The Lincoln Journal Star reported the magistrate judge refused to release him after reviewing the FBI complaint and hearing prosecutors detail his mental state concerns.
He faces one count of interfering with flight crew members and attendants under Title 49 U.S. Code Section 46504. Because Langston’s assault occurred while crew members were performing their duties, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison and fines of up to $200,000.
The Federal Aviation Administration can also impose civil fines up to $43,658 per violation. The FAA recorded 2,102 unruly passenger reports in 2024, similar to 2023 levels.
Langston remains in Douglas County Corrections. His next court date is February 13.
