SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Passengers aboard a Delta Airlines flight were left stunned Saturday night when federal agents boarded their aircraft moments after landing at San Francisco International Airport and arrested one of the pilots.
Delta Flight 2809 had just completed its journey from Minneapolis and was preparing for passengers to disembark around 9:35 p.m. when approximately 10 federal officers, including agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), entered the plane and moved quickly toward the cockpit.
According to passenger Sarah Christianson, who spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle, the agents pushed through the aisle and detained the co-pilot in front of the crew and a plane full of travelers. “They handcuffed him, escorted him down the aisle, and removed him from the aircraft,” she said. “It was absolutely surreal.”
Following the arrest, another team of agents returned to retrieve the pilot’s belongings, further confusing the cabin crew and travelers. Christianson said the remaining pilot addressed the passengers, admitting he was unaware of what had just taken place and had no prior knowledge of the situation.
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Federal officials later confirmed that the arrest was linked to charges involving child sexual abuse material. The pilot’s name has not been publicly released, and further details on the investigation remain limited.
Homeland Security Investigations, which operates under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest. It is unclear whether the pilot’s immigration status played any role in the investigation.
Delta Air Lines has acknowledged the incident but redirected all inquiries to the appropriate authorities, stating it is fully cooperating with the investigation.
The event left many on board deeply unsettled. “It was disturbing,” Christianson said. “You don’t expect to witness something like that during a routine flight.”
This arrest is one of several high-profile incidents involving workplace apprehensions in recent years. HSI has been at the forefront of numerous investigations and enforcement actions across various industries.
