Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 95
Situational Awareness; Confusion
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
We had to return after a gear malfunction after takeoff. This caused a delay for our passengers to get to the final destination. After attaching the jet bridge there was an altercation between the two gentlemen in the first row. I was still in the cockpit and did not see anything but I was able to hear the altercation. The Captain and Flight Attendant were back in the cabin and witnessed what happened exactly. From my account the passenger sitting in row X a/b side was asking about when we can get to our destination. The way he was asking came off as rude and disrespectful which caused the gentleman on the X c/d side to confront him. There were multiple cuss words from the second person but the general message was 'let the pilots do their jobs. They are doing the best they can.' I don't recall exactly what was said; but the argument did escalate to the both of them swearing at each other as the Captain tried to calm them down. Within about a minute of the argument we were able to get both men deplaned and an agent on scene to work the rest of it out. Both men were put on the replacement plane and there was no issue on the flight.
Air carrier First Officer reported two passengers were aggressively arguing while the aircraft was parked at the gate during a maintenance delay.