Passengers aboard Delta Flight 2809 were thrown into confusion and fear on Saturday night when federal agents stormed the aircraft moments after landing in San Francisco.
The flight had just arrived from Minneapolis around 9:35 p.m. when about 10 officers, including agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), boarded the plane.
They marched straight to the cockpit and arrested the co-pilot in full view of stunned passengers.
“A group of people with badges, guns, and different agency vests/markings were pushing their way up through the aisle to the cockpit,” said passenger Sarah Christianson. “They stormed the cockpit, cuffed the co-pilot, arrested him, walked him down the aisle, and ushered him off the plane.”
Crew and Passengers Left in the Dark
The arrest happened so swiftly that even the flight crew appeared clueless. Christianson said the other pilot looked visibly shaken and told passengers he had “no idea what just happened.”
After the co-pilot was taken away, another team of agents returned to collect his personal belongings. No official announcement was made onboard, and passengers were left to speculate.
“It was rage-inducing to see someone being disappeared right in front of me,” Christianson added. “It was shocking and unnerving.“
The agency has been known for conducting workplace raids and immigration-related arrests, especially under former President Trump’s administration. However, in this case, it has been revealed that the arrested pilot was charged with possession of child sexual abuse material.
The incident has generated a firestorm of debate over transparency and passenger safety.
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