FBI responds after American Airlines flight from JFK diverted to Detroit

Officials say the flight was diverted due to a disruptive passenger

Mar. 30, 2026 at 5:36pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of an airplane seat buckle against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh direct flash, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic that conceptually represents the disruption and uncertainty of an in-flight incident.A dramatic close-up of an airplane seat buckle captures the tension and uncertainty of an in-flight disturbance that forced an emergency landing.NYC Today

An American Airlines flight from New York's JFK Airport to Chicago's O'Hare Airport was diverted to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on Sunday morning due to a reported disturbance involving a disruptive passenger. The FBI and local police responded to the scene, but officials said there was no current threat to the public. Passengers described a chaotic scene on the plane before it landed safely in Detroit, where they were delayed for hours before finally reaching their destination in Chicago on Sunday evening.

Why it matters

Incidents of disruptive passenger behavior on flights have become more common in recent years, raising concerns about airline safety and security. This latest diversion highlights the challenges airlines and law enforcement face in responding to such situations and ensuring the safety of all passengers.

The details

American Airlines flight 2819 from New York to Chicago was diverted to Detroit after a passenger allegedly became disruptive and unruly on the plane. Wayne County Airport Authority Police and the FBI responded to the scene at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport. The airline said the flight was diverted 'due to a disruptive customer,' while passengers described the passenger as someone who was 'screaming' and 'yelling' that he 'couldn't get off the plane.' After landing in Detroit, passengers were delayed for hours before the flight was able to continue on to Chicago.

  • The flight was diverted to Detroit on Sunday morning.
  • Passengers finally landed at O'Hare Airport in Chicago on Sunday evening, around 9 hours after the flight was originally scheduled to arrive.

The players

American Airlines

The airline operating the flight from New York to Chicago that was diverted to Detroit.

Wayne County Airport Authority Police

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the reported disturbance on the diverted American Airlines flight.

FBI

The federal law enforcement agency that also responded to the incident at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

Gerry Sutofski

A passenger on the American Airlines flight who described the disruptive behavior of another passenger.

Esther Sutofski

Another passenger on the American Airlines flight who described the chaotic scene on the plane.

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What they’re saying

“About an hour out to Chicago we hear this person in the back screaming, yelling 'No no no,' and 'I can't get off the plane... something he didn't take his meds”

— Gerry Sutofski, Passenger

“There was a guy who came on the plane with a machine gun, and we're being told put your head down and your hands up, and I'm thinking oh great we're being hijacked now”

— Esther Sutofski, Passenger

What’s next

The FBI and local authorities will continue to investigate the incident and the disruptive passenger's actions. The airline will also likely review its procedures for responding to in-flight disturbances.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges airlines and law enforcement face in dealing with disruptive passenger behavior, which can create significant disruptions and safety concerns. It underscores the importance of robust protocols and training to ensure the security and well-being of all passengers.