NEW YORK- Turkish Airlines (TK) returned an Airbus A350-900 to the gate at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) after the crew reported a fight between two passengers before its flight to Istanbul Airport (IST).
The flight crew requested police, security personnel, and medical assistance after reporting that one passenger had a medical issue. The aircraft returned to Gate 63, and the airline later resumed the journey to Istanbul.
Fight Reported on Turkish Airlines Flight TK30
The incident involved Turkish Airlines flight TK30, operated by an Airbus A350-900, registration TC-LGZ, according to flight-tracking records. The aircraft was preparing to depart Newark for Istanbul when the cabin crew informed the pilots about a fight between two passengers. The radio communications used the callsign THY4YT. Flight-tracking records and published reporting identified the service as TK30.
The flight crew initially contacted ramp control to report a passenger-related problem and request further communication with ground personnel. The pilots sought additional information from the cabin chief before deciding whether to return to the gate.
After receiving an update from the cabin crew, the pilots informed ground control that two passengers were fighting inside the aircraft. They also reported that another passenger was experiencing medical issues, prompting a request to return to the gate.
The crew asked for police officers and security personnel to handle the situation involving the passengers. It also requested medical assistance for the passenger who needed attention.
Newark Airport Coordinates the Aircraft’s Return
Newark ground control instructed the aircraft to return to Gate 63. Air traffic controllers directed the crew to coordinate with the tower and follow the assigned taxiway route back to the parking position.
During the exchange, the crew confirmed that it needed to return to the gate because of the onboard fight and the passenger’s medical condition. The controllers also confirmed that airport authorities and port police would be informed so they could provide assistance when the aircraft reached its parking position.
The crew and controllers discussed the taxi route as the aircraft moved back toward the gate. The instructions included taxiing via Alpha and Delta Mike, with further coordination from the tower.
The pilots also asked whether a pushback vehicle could be arranged to help reposition the aircraft. Ground control advised that a pushback vehicle was not available for the requested maneuver and instructed the aircraft to continue taxiing along the approved route.
The tower subsequently confirmed that the crew could use an available taxi route to return to the gate. The aircraft continued toward the parking position while controllers coordinated nearby traffic.
Two Passengers to Be Removed From the Aircraft
During the radio exchange, the pilots told air traffic control that two passengers involved in the fight would be removed from the aircraft. The crew also reiterated its request for security personnel and medical assistance.
The communications establish that the crew reported a fight and requested assistance. However, the available information does not establish what caused the confrontation or provide the identities of the passengers involved.
The response required coordination among the flight crew, ramp control, the airport tower and airport security personnel. The crew returned the aircraft to the gate so the passengers could be dealt with before the flight continued.
Turkish Airlines Flight Later Departs for Istanbul
The Airbus A350-900 subsequently departed Newark for Istanbul after the return to the gate. The incident delayed the service while the crew and airport personnel addressed the reported passenger disturbance and medical request.
Published Turkish reporting on the incident said the disruption caused a delay of approximately two hours. The available information does not establish the precise duration of the aircraft’s return to the gate or confirm the outcome of any police investigation.
The incident highlights how a passenger confrontation before departure can require an aircraft to return to its parking position, particularly when the crew requests security intervention or medical assistance. In this case, the pilots coordinated with Newark ground control and the tower before the aircraft resumed its transatlantic journey.
Pilot and ATC Communication Transcript
Here’s a transcript of communication between Turkish Airlines A350 pilots and Newark ATC as flagged by YouCanSeeATC:
[00:09] PILOT: Ramp Control, hello, Turkish 4YT Heavy again. Could you please tell the operators to connect with the aircraft again? We have a problem with passengers.
[00:19] ATC (RAMP CONTROL): It’s okay, 4YT. I don’t have communication with them. You need to tell Borodorian 2285 to call them back.
[00:27] PILOT: 2285, thank you. Turkish 4YT, bye-bye.
[00:34] PILOT: Ramp Control, hello again, Turkish 4YT Heavy.
[00:42] ATC: Turkish, go ahead, 4YT.
[00:44] PILOT: Ramp Control, we have a passenger problem. Could you please tell the operators to connect with the aircraft again?
[00:58] ATC: I’m unable to do that. Are you looking to go back to the gate?
[01:02] PILOT: Maybe not now. We are looking for further information. Two passengers are fighting each other in the aircraft.
[01:13] PILOT: [Unclear communication regarding further information from the cabin chief.]
[01:18] ATC: Okay, at this point, you’re going to have to taxi back to the gate. You’ll have to taxi out and then back to Gate 63. Let me know what you need to do.
[01:28] PILOT: Roger, we will let you know after we have further information. Thank you.
[01:36] PILOT: Ramp Control, Turkish 4YT Heavy. We are requesting to return to the gate because of the fighting passengers, and we have one passenger experiencing medical issues.
[01:45] PILOT: We will let you know when further information is available.
[01:50] ATC (RAMP CONTROL): Okay, Turkish. You’re going to return to Gate 63. However, you need to taxi. Contact Tower on 18.3, taxi out onto Alpha, and then re-enter Delta Mike to Gate 63.
[02:08] PILOT: Roger, we will return to Gate 63. We will contact Tower on 18.3, taxi via Alpha, then Delta Mike to the gate. Turkish 4YT.
[02:21] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): Turkish 4YT Heavy, Newark Tower. Are you on frequency?
[02:25] PILOT: Affirmative, we are on frequency now, Turkish 4YT Heavy. We are requesting to return to Gate 63.
[02:31] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): Okay, do you need any assistance with anything, Turkish 4YT?
[02:36] PILOT: We may need police officers and security guards for the fighting passengers. We will disembark two passengers, and we have one passenger experiencing medical issues.
[02:46] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): Okay, so we have a possible fight and also a medical emergency. Is that correct?
[02:53] PILOT: Yes, we are requesting security and medical assistance.
[02:59] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): Okay, that sounds good. What gate are you returning to? The same gate you departed from?
[03:04] PILOT: Can you say that again, Turkish 4YT?
[03:06] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): Sir, are you returning to the same gate? They’re pushing it to the same gate.
[03:12] PILOT: Affirmative. We contacted Ramp, and they told us to return to Gate 63 via Alpha, then Delta Mike. We are now contacting you.
[03:22] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): Okay, Turkish 4YT Heavy. I have no traffic in your way, so you can return to the gate however you’d like to get there at your earliest convenience. You can coordinate with Ramp for entry.
[03:31] PILOT: Roger, we will contact Ramp again and continue taxiing back to the gate. Turkish 4YT, thank you.
[03:39] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): No problem, Turkish 4YT Heavy. I’ll also advise the Port Authority and Port Police that you need assistance with parking.
[03:47] PILOT: Roger, thank you so much, Turkish 4YT.
[03:54] PILOT: Hello, Turkish 4YT. We have contacted the Tower, and traffic is available. We are requesting a pushback vehicle, if available. We can shut down both engines. Can you arrange it?
[04:10] ATC (RAMP CONTROL): Sorry, Turkish, I didn’t understand your message. You need to taxi back out and re-enter Delta Mike to Gate 63 if you’re returning to the gate.
[04:19] PILOT: Roger, but we are requesting pushback trucks or a pushback vehicle, if available. Turkish 4YT.
[04:25] ATC (RAMP CONTROL): There’s no pushback available. You need to taxi out.
[04:30] PILOT: Roger, Alpha then Delta Mike, confirm. Turkish 4YT.
[04:40] ATC: Turkish, say again, please.
[04:42] PILOT: Roger, we will turn right onto Alpha, then Romeo Echo again. Turkish 4YT.
[04:53] PILOT: Could you please inform us which taxiway we should continue on, Turkish 4YT?
[05:03] ATC: You have to contact Tower on 18.3, taxi out onto the system, and return via Delta Mike to Gate 63.
[05:12] PILOT: Roger, we have already contacted the Tower, and traffic is available. They have informed us that we can turn onto Alpha and then Delta Mike. Confirm, Turkish 4YT.
[05:28] ATC: Those instructions need to come from the Tower. You’re cleared via Delta Mike to Gate 63 from my end.
[05:34] PILOT: Roger, Delta Mike to Gate 63. Turkish 4YT, thank you.
[05:41] PILOT: Tower, Turkish 4YT Heavy.
[05:43] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): Turkish 4YT Heavy, go ahead, sir.
[05:45] PILOT: We are turning right onto Alpha from Spot 26 and will continue via Delta Mike. Can you confirm the turn to the right now?
[05:55] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): Whatever you want, Turkish 4YT Heavy. I have no traffic in that vicinity and no closed taxiways, so you can maneuver the aircraft back to the gate however you’d like, at your earliest convenience.
[06:08] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): Any taxi route is approved, Turkish 4YT. You can use any taxiway you need to get back to parking.
[06:13] PILOT: Roger, thank you, Turkish 4YT.
[06:17] PILOT: Tower, Turkish 4YT Heavy. We are proceeding to Bravo, then we will turn left onto Romeo Foxtrot to enter the gate. Turkish 4YT.
[06:26] ATC (NEWARK TOWER): Sure, that’s fine. Whatever you want, Turkish 4YT Heavy. There is traffic out there, but they are waiting short of Romeo Foxtrot. Whatever you need to do to get back to the gate is approved.
[06:34] PILOT: Thanks so much, sir.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
