Delta Flight 2557 returned to William P. Hobby Airport after a passenger attempted to enter the cockpit minutes after takeoff. Cabin video shows crew and fellow travelers restraining the unruly individual; air traffic control audio captures the pilot requesting security. The passenger was detained at the gate, did not breach the flight deck, and the flight reached Atlanta about 90 minutes late.
Delta Flight 2557 Makes Emergency Return After Passenger Attempts to Enter Cockpit — ATC Audio, Cabin Video Show Chaos
Delta plane makes emergency landingABC 7 Chicago
A Delta Air Lines flight from Houston to Atlanta returned to William P. Hobby Airport after a passenger attempted to access the cockpit minutes after takeoff, airline officials and air traffic control audio confirm. The flight — Delta 2557, a Boeing 717 — carried 85 passengers and five crew members.
What Happened
At about 5:25 a.m. on Feb. 18, the pilot declared an emergency after crew members reported a customer "exhibiting unruly and unlawful behavior towards other customers," a Delta spokesperson told PEOPLE. Air traffic control audio captured on Broadcastify and reported by CNN records the pilot requesting security to meet the aircraft.
"We had a passenger get up and try to access the cockpit. Can you coordinate and have security standing by?"
Video obtained by ABC13 shows a man walking down the aisle, repeating unintelligible phrases, climbing into a row of seats and resisting crew efforts to restrain him. Cabin audio in the clip includes flight attendants telling crew and passengers they needed restraints — one is heard saying, "We gotta get cuffs" — and fellow travelers stepping in to help. A passenger in the video expresses concern that a nearby traveler was traveling with a baby.
Delta Airlines Boeing 717 (stock)Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty
Response and Outcome
Crew and several passengers were able to restrain the individual. The pilot later radioed that the person was in handcuffs in the back of the aircraft and that he had assaulted another passenger, requesting that the assaulted passenger be checked out. Delta confirmed the passenger did not make contact with the flight deck.
The Boeing 717 returned to William P. Hobby Airport roughly 17 minutes after takeoff and was met at the gate by law enforcement, who detained the passenger. The aircraft later departed again and ultimately arrived in Atlanta about 90 minutes late. Authorities had not released the detained passenger’s name or any charges at the time of the airline’s statement.
Safety and Investigation
Delta and local authorities handled the incident on the ground after the emergency landing. The airline has confirmed the safety of the flight crew and passengers and said it is cooperating with investigators. Further details, including the outcome of any law enforcement action, have not been released publicly.
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