Praying passenger forces United Airlines emergency landing

A pilot of a United Airlines flight enroute to Washington D.C. declared an emergency landing after a male passenger began to pray loudly in the middle of the aisle.

Flight 662, which was flying from Denver, was preparing to land at Dulles Washington International Airport in northern Virginia when the incident began to unfold, 9 News reported.

It is understood the man was not obeying instructions from the crew to sit in his seat and prepare for landing.

According to the Daily Mail, once the emergency was called at 9 p.m. on Thursday night, a military escort to Dulles was arranged, which appeared to guide the Boeing 757 into a safe landing.

The plane landed 13 minutes ahead of their scheduled arrival time and passengers were all removed while the alleged disorderly offender remained on the aircraft.

The man was handcuffed by police and was being questioned. 

Witnesses speculated that the man had suffered some kind of "emotional or mental problem."

Sky News quoted United spokeswoman Megan McCarthy saying the passenger was not following flight attendant instructions for landing.