A Delta Connection flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a 23-year-old Albanian passenger allegedly attempted to open an emergency exit door mid-flight, sparking panic on board.
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| Mario Nikprelaj on plane |
As CNN and other American news outlets reported, Nikprelaj allegedly argued with a flight attendant before attempting to open the emergency exit door during the flight — a move that triggered immediate security protocols and concern for the safety of passengers and crew.
“On July 17, 2025, at approximately 6:13 p.m., Cedar Rapids Police were dispatched to the Eastern Iowa Airport following a disturbance aboard a SkyWest flight from Omaha to Detroit,” the Cedar Rapids Police Department said in a statement posted to Facebook.
Upon landing, Nikprelaj was taken into custody and transported to the Linn County Correctional Center. He now faces multiple charges including:
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Disorderly conduct
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Assault
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Possession of prescription drugs
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First-degree harassment
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional federal charges, especially given the serious nature of attempting to interfere with aircraft operations.
Despite the terrifying mid-air incident, the flight later resumed and safely landed in Detroit about an hour and a half later than scheduled, according to flight tracking site FlightAware.
No injuries were reported, but the event has raised renewed concerns about in-flight security and the need for better protocols when dealing with potentially unstable passengers. It remains unclear whether Nikprelaj was under the influence of substances at the time of the incident.
The FBI and federal aviation authorities are expected to assist in the ongoing investigation.