Authorities respond to Massachusetts runway after passenger grabs flight control yoke during flight

NORWOOD — Police Chief William Brooks reports that the Norwood Police Department and Norwood Fire Department responded out of an abundance of caution after a single- engine plane made an emergency landing at Norwood Memorial Airport Friday morning.

An investigation has determined that a flight school, operating out of the airport, was giving a promotional ride to a woman and her 60-year-old brother. The brother, who was reported to police to be a person with a developmental disorder, grabbed the flight control yoke during the flight and attempted to move it around. The pilot, who is an experienced flight instructor, was able to maintain control of the airplane. The pilot maintained contact with air traffic controllers, and the plane landed safely at approximately 11:45 a.m.

Emergency personnel responded and were at the airport as the plane landed. It was determined that there was no criminal intent. No one was injured. The incident, as is standard procedure, was reported to the FAA and Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

The airplane, a Cessna 172, was undamaged.

No further information was released by authorities.