A Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta to Tucson was forced to turn back after a disruptive passenger attempted to breach the cockpit—only to be stopped by a quick-thinking Army veteran and grandmother of seven.
Nicole Pruitt, an African American woman with military training and a calm demeanor under pressure, was seated aboard Delta Flight 937 when she noticed a fellow passenger behaving erratically. The woman reportedly made repeated attempts to enter the cockpit, alarming those seated nearby.
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“I felt like my life was in danger,” Pruitt later told ABC 7. Drawing on her Army training, she didn’t hesitate to intervene. “I got her down on the ground. It wasn’t hard to do because I think she wasn’t even expecting it. And at that moment, I told the flight attendants, ‘Could you please get some restraints for her?’ She was very strong—but my determination was even stronger.”
Pruitt said her military experience helped her remain composed during the ordeal. “I knew I had to take care of myself at the end of the day,” she said.
Following the incident, the flight returned to Atlanta as a precaution before continuing its journey to Tucson. All 180 passengers onboard were reported safe, with no injuries.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later confirmed the disruptive passenger was experiencing a medical emergency. She has not been charged in connection with the incident.
Delta Airlines released a statement thanking Pruitt, the crew, and other passengers for their swift and coordinated response. The flight ultimately arrived safely in Arizona.
