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United Airlines Flight from Chicago Diverted After Passenger Smears Feces in Bathrooms

The man did not try to interfere with the flight crew and was not expected to be arrested

Passengers on a Hong Kong-bound flight from O’Hare International Airport made an unexpected landing in Alaska after a man made a mess in two of the lavatories on the plane, smearing feces and stuffing his shirt in a toilet.

United Airlines flight 895 was diverted to Ted Stevens International Airport in Anchorage, Alaska, about 4:50 p.m., according to a spokesman for the airport’s police.

The flight was forced to land after a man defecated in the bathrooms and spread the waste, police said. He also took off a shirt he was wearing and tried to flush it down a toilet.

The flight landed in Anchorage about 6:30 p.m., and the man was met by local and federal law enforcement, police said. The man, who was in his seat and cooperative, was taken off the plane, which was held for maintenance.

There were no indications the incident was related to terrorism, according to FBI spokeswoman Staci Feger-Pellessier. No injuries were reported.

The man did not try to interfere with the flight crew and was not expected to be arrested, police said. He was taken to Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage for a psychological evaluation, police said.

Authorities needed an interpreter to interview the man, who was carrying a Vietnamese passport and had a U.S. permanent resident card.

Federal prosecutors have not determined whether to pursue charges.

"United flight 895, traveling from Chicago to Hong Kong, diverted to Anchorage last night due to a disruptive passenger," according to a statement from the airline on Friday. "We provided hotel accommodations for our customers and are working to get them to their destinations as quickly as possible."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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