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A Delta Air Lines pilot was arrested by federal agents immediately after landing at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) on Saturday, following the arrival of Flight 2809 from Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).
The Boeing 757, which had experienced minor delays due to low visibility caused by fog, landed without further incident. But the situation dramatically escalated once the aircraft reached its gate.
Arrest Carried Out by Homeland Security Agents
Eyewitnesses aboard Flight 2809 reported that around 10 law enforcement officers, including agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), boarded the plane and headed straight for the cockpit.
One of the pilots was taken into custody on the spot, while passengers and crew looked on. No announcement was made during the flight to avoid alerting the suspect.
“They didn’t say a word the entire flight,” one passenger told the Sentinel Current. “As soon as we reached the gate, they swarmed the front. It was clear they knew exactly who they were after.”
Passengers noted that the second pilot appeared visibly shocked, and told some passengers he had “no idea what just happened.”
No Public Details from Authorities
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has not disclosed the reason for the arrest, and the identity of the pilot remains undisclosed at this time. It is unclear whether the arrest is linked to a criminal investigation, immigration status, or a federal security violation.
Delta Air Lines issued a brief statement declining comment and referring all media inquiries to law enforcement authorities.
“We are aware of the incident involving Flight 2809. For any questions, please contact federal authorities directly.”
Flight Landed Safely Before Arrest
Flight 2809 landed at SFO around its scheduled arrival time, with only minor delays due to low visibility in the Bay Area. Passengers were allowed to disembark normally, though those seated toward the front of the plane were temporarily held back during the law enforcement action.
