Army Veteran Grandmother Stops Cockpit Intrusion on Delta Flight
An Army veteran and grandmother is being praised for her quick action aboard a Delta Airlines flight last week after she stopped a passenger from repeatedly trying to enter the cockpit.
Nicole Pruitt, who served in the U.S. Army, was on Delta flight 937 traveling from Atlanta to Tucson, Arizona, when she noticed a fellow passenger behaving erratically. According to Pruitt, the woman made multiple attempts to access the cockpit, prompting her to act on instinct and training.
“I felt like my life was in danger,” Pruitt said in a statement following the incident.
As the woman moved toward the cockpit again, Pruitt intervened.
“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 explained.
Pruitt credited her military background for helping her stay calm and handle the situation.
“My training kicked in. I knew that I had to take care of myself at the end of the day,” she added.
Following the onboard disturbance, the flight was redirected back to Atlanta as a precaution. After the situation was stabilized, the aircraft resumed its journey and safely landed in Tucson. Delta confirmed there were 180 passengers on board at the time, and no injuries were reported.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later revealed that the woman involved was experiencing a medical emergency. At this time, she is not facing any criminal charges.
In a statement, Delta Airlines expressed gratitude for the professionalism of its crew and the bravery of its passengers.
“Delta sincerely appreciates the actions of our crew and customers for deescalating this situation. We apologize to our customers for the delay and thank them for their understanding,” the airline said.
Passengers praised Pruitt’s courage, with some calling her a hero. Social media posts from fellow travelers highlighted the tension during the incident and the relief after it was resolved.
The incident comes amid growing concerns about disruptive behavior aboard commercial flights, prompting airlines and regulatory agencies to tighten in-flight security protocols.
Nicole Pruitt, however, downplayed any notion of heroism.
“I just did what I knew needed to be done to keep everyone safe,” she said.
As air travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and composure in the face of unexpected challenges. For many, Nicole Pruitt’s swift action exemplifies the value of military training and the power of personal courage—even at 30,000 feet.
