Additional Coverage:
Houston, TX – A Delta Airlines flight bound for Atlanta was forced to make an emergency return to William P. Hobby Airport Wednesday morning after a passenger allegedly caused a disturbance, leading to his detention by police.
The flight, carrying 85 passengers and five crew members, had departed from Houston’s Hobby Airport for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when the incident occurred. According to Delta Airlines and law enforcement, the passenger exhibited “unruly and unlawful behavior towards other customers,” prompting the pilot to turn the aircraft around.
The plane landed back at Hobby Airport around 5:40 a.m. local time, approximately 15 minutes after its initial takeoff.
A passenger on the flight, Amber Ward, recounted the chaotic scene to WSB, an ABC News Atlanta affiliate. Ward stated that the man “started punching everybody” and had previously attempted to access the cockpit, expressing a desire to speak with the pilot. Ward managed to record parts of the incident on her phone, citing uncertainty about how the situation would unfold.
Ward further detailed how the man allegedly attacked a passenger in a window seat, “yanking him by his shirt, his hair.” She noted that “it took like eight guys on the plane to get him off of that guy, and they had to sit on him, and we had to turn the plane around and go back.”
While initial reports and air traffic controller audio suggested the man attempted to breach the cockpit, Delta Airlines clarified in a statement to ABC News that the individual “did not make contact with or attempt to access the flight deck.” However, the Houston Police Department confirmed receiving a call around 5:35 a.m. reporting that “apparently an individual tried to gain entry into a cockpit.” Police officers were dispatched to Gate 32, where multiple patrol cars surrounded the aircraft.
Air traffic controller audio captured one of the pilots stating, “we had a passenger get up and try to access the cockpit,” and that “he assaulted another passenger,” who the pilot requested be checked out.
Video footage reviewed by ABC News shows a passenger with bound hands being escorted off Delta flight 2557 that morning.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the flight “returned safely” to Hobby Airport “after the crew reported a passenger disturbance” and announced it would investigate the incident.
Delta Airlines issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to safety: “The safety of our customers and crew is paramount, and Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior. We apologize to our customers for this experience and delay in their travels.”
The flight eventually re-departed for Atlanta and arrived approximately 90 minutes behind schedule.
This remains a developing story, and further updates will be provided as they become available.