A Delta Air Lines flight from Houston's William P. Hobby Airport to Atlanta was forced to return to its origin early Wednesday morning after a passenger reportedly engaged in unruly and unlawful behavior. Houston police detained the individual upon the aircraft's return to the gate.
Key Takeaways
- Delta Flight 2557 returned to Hobby Airport shortly after departure.
- A passenger reportedly exhibited unruly and unlawful behavior.
- The passenger allegedly assaulted at least two other passengers.
- Houston police took the suspect into custody at Gate 32.
- The flight, a Boeing 717, carried 85 passengers and five crew members.
Incident Unfolds Aboard Delta Flight 2557
The disturbance began on Delta Flight 2557, which departed Hobby Airport around 5:25 a.m. local time. The aircraft, a Boeing 717, had 85 passengers and five crew members on board. Shortly after takeoff, a passenger started behaving erratically.
According to Delta officials, the customer exhibited "unruly and unlawful behavior toward other customers." While the individual approached crew members and other passengers, Delta stated the customer did not make contact with or attempt to access the flight deck.
Flight Details
- Flight Number: Delta Flight 2557
- Route: Houston Hobby (HOU) to Atlanta (ATL)
- Aircraft Type: Boeing 717
- Passengers: 85
- Crew Members: 5
Passenger Recounts Assault
One passenger, Josh Lamas, reported being assaulted during the incident. Lamas stated that about 30 minutes into the flight, a man aggressively walked past him, then returned and began punching him.
"I'm just sitting there, and a guy walks aggressively by me and aggressively back, and he bumps into my shoulder and starts wailing on my head," Lamas said. "He punched me three times and then walked back and then started attacking another gentleman behind me."
Lamas added that he believed the individual was experiencing a mental episode. He described the passenger screaming "in tongues" at another man. Lamas also mentioned that he saw the man trying to ask for the captain, contradicting Delta's statement about not attempting to access the flight deck.
Emergency Return to Houston
Due to the escalating situation, the flight crew made the decision to turn the aircraft around and return to William P. Hobby Airport. The Houston Police Department received a call at 5:38 a.m. regarding a disturbance on board a Delta plane.
Upon the plane's arrival at Gate 32, law enforcement officers were waiting. Police confirmed that a suspect was taken into custody. Footage from the airport showed a man being escorted out of the terminal in handcuffs, though authorities did not immediately confirm if this was the individual involved in the disturbance.
Airline Stance on Unruly Behavior
Delta Air Lines issued a statement following the incident, emphasizing its commitment to safety. "The safety of our customers and crew is paramount, and Delta has zero tolerance for unruly behavior," the airline said. "We apologize to our customers for this experience and delay in their travels."
Passengers Intervene to Restrain Suspect
Before the plane's return, several passengers took action to de-escalate the situation. Lamas described how multiple passengers banded together to restrain the unruly individual. He noted that the man "started freaking out" when they approached him, but they managed to calm him down.
After the plane landed and the suspect was removed, the flight was delayed for approximately two hours. Lamas had his head wounds evaluated and stated his intention to press charges against the assailant.
Investigation Underway
Houston police have not yet released specific details about the passenger or confirmed whether charges are expected. Delta Air Lines stated it would defer further comment to law enforcement as the investigation proceeds.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges airlines face with unruly passenger behavior. Such events can cause significant disruptions, delays, and distress for other travelers and crew members. The rapid response by law enforcement and the intervention of fellow passengers were crucial in managing this particular situation.
