Mumbai, February 20:A  Delta Air Lines flight bound for Atlanta was forced to make an emergency landing at Houston's William P. Hobby Airport early Wednesday morning, February 18, following a violent disruption in the cabin. The incident, involving Delta Flight 2557, led to the restraint of a passenger who reportedly assaulted a co-passenger and moved toward the front of the aircraft shortly after takeoff.

The Boeing 717, carrying 85 passengers and five crew members, departed Houston at approximately 5:25 AM local time. Within 15 minutes of departure, the pilot alerted air traffic control to a security situation, signalling an emergency via the aircraft’s transponder. Delta Airlines Planes Collide on Runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, 1 Injured (Watch Video).

In radio recordings captured by Broadcastify, the pilot informed controllers that a passenger had attempted to access the cockpit. "We had a passenger get up and try to access the cockpit," the pilot said, requesting that security and paramedics meet the plane upon its return.

Reports of Assault and Restraint on Delta Air Lines Flight 2557

While the aircraft was still in the air, the disruptive passenger was reportedly subdued and handcuffed by fellow passengers or crew. The pilot later updated air traffic control, stating the individual was "in cuffs in the back of the aircraft", but noted that at least one other passenger had been assaulted during the struggle.

Witnesses on board described a chaotic scene. Passenger Josh Lemastus told local reporters that a man "walked aggressively" through the aisle before punching him in the head three times and attacking another traveller. Another passenger, Amber Ward, stated the man appeared to be trying to reach the cockpit to speak with the pilot.

Delta and FAA Response

Despite the pilot’s initial report to controllers, Delta Air Lines later clarified that the passenger did not actually breach or make physical contact with the flight deck. In an official statement, the airline emphasised its "zero-tolerance" policy for unruly behaviour. "The safety of our customers and crew is paramount... We apologize to our customers for this experience and delay in their travels," Delta stated.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. According to FAA data, this event adds to the 126 unruly passenger reports already recorded in the first seven weeks of 2026, following a total of 1,621 incidents in 2025. Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 Flight DL446 Makes Emergency Landing in Los Angeles After Engine Catches Fire Mid-Air (Watch Video).

Flight Resumes After Delay

The aircraft landed safely back at Hobby Airport around 5:40 AM and was met by a heavy police presence and Department of Homeland Security vehicles. The suspect was taken into custody by the Houston Police Department; however, his identity and specific charges have not yet been released. After the suspect was removed and the cabin was secured, Flight 2557 departed for a second time, arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport approximately 90 minutes behind schedule.

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TruLY Score 3 – Believable; Needs Further Research | On a Trust Scale of 0-5 this article has scored 3 on LatestLY, this article appears believable but may need additional verification. It is based on reporting from news websites or verified journalists (CNN), but lacks supporting official confirmation. Readers are advised to treat the information as credible but continue to follow up for updates or confirmations

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 20, 2026 12:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).