A Delta Airlines plane was flying from Minneapolis to San Francisco International Airport over the weekend. Outside of a slight delay during landing, everything was normal. Then, multiple officers stormed the plane and arrested the co-pilot.
According to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office officers arrested the co-pilot on Saturday night at around 9:35 PM. Federal agents assisted them as they entered the Boeing 757-300.
Passengers described a confused scene on board flight 2809. One told the outlet via email, “A group of people with badges, guns, and different agency vest/markings were pushing their way up through the aisle to the cockpit.” They wrote that at least 10 officers “stormed the cockpit.” Authorities cuffed the co-pilot and ushered him off the plane.
The remaining pilot apparently had no idea officers were about to arrest his colleague. Per a report by View from the Wing, the pilot was likely kept in the dark in case he notified the co-pilot. The outlet also shares a brief video of officers with badges around their necks leaving the aircraft. View from the Wing also notes that the plane had to make a second attempt at landing owing to the fog and low visibility.
Another passenger, Sarah, told ABC7, “I don’t know if this person was disappearing before our eyes. If there had been a crime committed, or what exactly was happening.” She added, “It’s just a huge question mark, and we need to know what happened.”
Authorities Have Provided More Details About The Delta Pilot’s Arrest
Multiple sources, including Delta Airlines, provided few details about the incident when it happened. However, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office shared information on the arrest in a Facebook post. Authorities reveal the co-pilot’s identity as 34-year-old Rustom Bhagwagar of Florida.
The Sheriff’s Office reveals that they have been investigating reports of child sex abuse since April 2025. They arrested Bhagwagar in connection with that investigation. Once the Sheriff’s Office learned he was a pilot, they planned to detain him at San Francisco International Airport. Officers booked him into the Martinez Detention Facility for multiple crimes and are holding him on a $5 million bond.
Authorities explain that the investigation is ongoing and ask for anyone with information to get in touch.