A terrifying moment midair has gone viral after passengers held up a panel that collapsed during a Delta flight from Atlanta to Chicago last week. The incident, which took place on April 14, is now raising questions about aircraft maintenance and airline accountability.
According to The New York Post, the alarming footage was shared by TikToker Lucas Michael Payne, who said the panel fell while his friend was onboard. The video shows a group of passengers physically holding the roof panel in place, while others look on in disbelief. Payne claims that the flight attendants eventually had to duct tape the panel back into position to keep it from falling again.
Delta Airlines Responds After Passengers Hold Up Roof Panel Midair
As the video racked up millions of views online, Delta Airlines responded, downplaying the severity of the incident. A spokesperson told The New York Post that a panel on the Boeing 717 simply “went out of place” and denied that passengers had to hold it manually for the duration of the flight.
“The panel became misaligned but posed no threat to the structural integrity of the aircraft,” the airline said.
However, social media users weren’t convinced. Many commented that even if it wasn’t a “safety issue,” passengers having to stabilize parts of the aircraft themselves is unacceptable. Payne confirmed that flight attendants used duct tape to secure the panel and said passengers were offered 10,000 Delta SkyMiles as compensation for the experience.
More Drama After Passengers Held Up Roof Panel That Collapsed During Delta Flight
The flight didn’t just come with a scare. According to Payne, after the incident, the plane had to return to Atlanta, forcing passengers to wait hours for a new aircraft before being flown to Chicago. This unexpected detour added insult to injury for many who said they already felt uncomfortable being onboard an aircraft held together — at least temporarily — by its own customers and some tape.
While no injuries were reported, the situation has sparked online conversations about airline safety standards and what passengers are expected to tolerate midair.
