On April 14, 2025, passengers aboard Delta Air Lines Flight 2417 from Atlanta to Chicago experienced a mid-air emergency when an interior ceiling panel partially collapsed during ascent. Several passengers, including Tom Witschy, took it upon themselves to physically support the sagging panel for approximately 30 to 45 minutes until flight attendants could secure it with duct tape. An engineer on board identified a missing screw or bolt as the likely cause of the collapse. The flight returned to Atlanta, resulting in a delay, but no injuries were reported. Delta issued an apology and offered affected passengers 10,000 frequent flyer miles as compensation. 

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This incident has raised concerns about aircraft maintenance and safety protocols, especially considering other recent events involving Delta flights. Passengers expressed frustration over the airline's response and the potential dangers of such malfunctions occurring during flight. ​

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Passengers aboard Delta Flight 2417 faced a frightening situation when a ceiling panel unexpectedly collapsed mid-flight. Tom Witschy, a 35-year-old from Chicago seated in 19B, shared the experience with PEOPLE, describing how he and several others had to physically support the fallen panel for roughly 30 to 45 minutes before it was temporarily secured with tape.


According to Witschy, a fellow passenger offered some bright yellow Scotch tape he happened to have with him, which they used to hold the panel in place.

The incident occurred on April 14, shortly after the flight departed from Atlanta en route to Chicago. Witschy recalled that during takeoff, he and the passenger beside him heard a noise overhead, which they initially thought was luggage shifting in the overhead bin. Moments later, a loud bang followed, and part of the plane’s interior ceiling detached, almost striking an elderly woman seated in 18B.

The panel remained loosely attached, dangling by just its front right corner. Eventually, for safety reasons, the flight was rerouted back to Atlanta.