Delta co-pilot arrested at San Francisco International Airport after federal agents stormed the cockpit
A Delta Air Lines co-pilot was arrested Saturday night by the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, with support from federal agents, shortly after Flight 2809 arrived at San Francisco International Airport from Minneapolis.
The Boeing 757-300 landed around 9:35 p.m. following a delayed second approach due to heavy fog. What started as a routine disembarkation quickly changed, according to a passenger’s account.
“A group of people with badges, guns, and different agency vests/markings were pushing their way up through the aisle to the cockpit,” a passenger wrote in an email to The Chronicle.
The passenger, who was sitting in first class, said she counted at least 10 law enforcement officers. They included agents from Homeland Security Investigations in San Francisco and others identifying as air marshals.
She added that the officers “stormed the cockpit, cuffed the co-pilot, arrested him, walked him down the aisle, and ushered him off the plane through the cabin doors located between first and coach.”
Another group of agents returned to retrieve the co-pilot’s personal items. His name has not been made public.
A spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations confirmed the agency supported the arrest.
“This is an ongoing local investigation with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office,” the spokesperson said.
The passenger described the moment as “shocking and unnerving,” and said the flight crew gave no explanation. The remaining pilot reportedly told passengers he had “no idea what just happened.”
Delta declined to comment, directing questions to law enforcement.
The reason for the arrest has not been officially disclosed. However, in a social media post referring to The Chronicle’s original report, Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin quoted a federal source who claimed the co-pilot was arrested on suspicion of involvement with child sexual abuse materials. Authorities have not confirmed this.
The incident occurred just days after another Delta pilot was detained in Amsterdam, accused of failing a breathalyser test — a result that is reportedly being challenged.