A Ceiling Panel Dropped Down During A Delta Flight From Atlanta To Chicago

Delta flight passengers forced to hold ceiling panel up

Passengers aboard a Chicago-bound Delta Airlines flight were forced to hold up a ceiling panel after it partially collapsed on April 14.

Passengers had to hold up part of their plane's cabin during a Delta flight from Atlanta to Chicago.

Passenger Thomas Witschy told Storyful a ceiling panel came "crashing down" shortly after Delta Flight 2417 took off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on April 14.

“Myself and two other passengers held it up from our seats until my neighbor and the flight crew could get it scotch taped back into position,” he said, sharing video of the incident and a photo of the taped panel with Storyful.

Delta Air Lines confirmed the panel was later secured so customers wouldn't have to hold it.

The airline said the Boeing 717 returned to Atlanta for cabin maintenance, and passengers continued their trip on another aircraft with a two-hour delay. No one was injured.

"Delta thanks our customers for their patience and cooperation. We apologize for the delay in their travels," Delta said in a statement shared with USA TODAY.