Unruly Passenger Forces Unexpected Landing On International Flight

Passengers seated in airplane cabin with screens visible

A United Airlines passenger faces a $10,000 fine after a Xanax and alcohol-fueled incident led to an emergency landing and costly fuel dump.

At a Glance

Zachary Greear, 34, caused a disturbance on a United flight from Amsterdam to Newark
He consumed alcohol mixed with Xanax, leading to disruptive behavior and urination in his seat and aisle
The flight was diverted to Dublin, resulting in a $30,000 fuel dump
Greear pleaded guilty and was fined €10,000 (approximately $10,308) for damages
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about alcohol consumption on flights

Disruptive Behavior Forces Emergency Landing

Zachary Greear, a 34-year-old American climate analyst, created a major disturbance on United Airlines Flight 71 from Amsterdam to Newark. The incident, which occurred after Greear consumed an alcoholic beverage mixed with Xanax, quickly escalated, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing in Dublin. Greear’s behavior included urinating in his seat and across the aisle, disturbing other passengers and causing significant disruption to the flight.

Upon arrival in Dublin, Irish police found Greear so intoxicated that he was unaware of his location. The diversion resulted in the disposal of $30,000 worth of fuel, adding to the severity of the incident. United Airlines confirmed that Greear was removed from the flight without further incident, and the plane continued its journey to Newark later that day.

Cut the guy some slack 🥨 https://t.co/i9DbzpqHfb pic.twitter.com/BmyIukTb05

— This Podcast is Making Me Thirsty Seinfeld Podcast (@ThisThirsty) January 15, 2025

Legal Consequences and Apology

Greear faced legal consequences for his actions in Dublin district court. He pleaded guilty to several offenses under Ireland’s Air Navigation and Transport Act, including intoxication, threatening behavior, and causing annoyance on an aircraft. Judge Michèle Finan presided over the case, describing Greear’s actions as appalling and traumatic for passengers and crew.

“Can you imagine the fear and trauma he caused to a pilot who is trying to manage people safely on his aircraft, to passengers, to employees of the airline who have to dump fuel and turn around a flight and land in a jurisdiction they never expected to be in?” asked Judge Michéle Finan.

During the court proceedings, Greear expressed remorse for his actions, offering his “most sincere apology” and pledging to donate $5,000 to charity. The judge took into account Greear’s clean criminal record and his apology when determining the sentence. Ultimately, Greear was ordered to pay a fine of €10,000 (approximately $10,308) to cover damages to United Airlines.

Broader Concerns About In-Flight Alcohol Consumption

This incident has reignited discussions about alcohol consumption on flights and in airports. Ryanair, another major airline, has called for limits on drinks served at airport bars, highlighting the potential dangers when disruptive passengers threaten aircraft safety and force diversions. Currently, there is no federal law in the United States limiting the number of drinks served to passengers in the air, although crew members are prohibited from serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals.

The Greear incident is not isolated. In a separate case, United Airlines banned a man who allegedly urinated on another passenger during a flight from San Francisco to the Philippines. These events underscore the need for airlines and regulatory bodies to address the issue of passenger intoxication and its potential impact on flight safety and passenger comfort.