‘We Need Police On Landing’: Auburn Basketball’s Mid-Air Brawl Forces Emergency Landing—Hear The ATC Drama – View from the Wing

The Auburn men’s basketball team was flying to Houston on Friday when an altercation between players forced their plane to turn back shortly after takeoff. The No. 11 Tigers, fresh off a season-opening victory against Vermont, were en route to face No. 4 Houston when a scuffle broke out among a group of players on board.

The incident occurred approximately 40 minutes into the flight, which had departed Auburn just before 3 p.m. According to air traffic control communications, the pilot requested an emergency landing in Montgomery, citing a “bunch of basketball players fighting” on board. The pilot assured air traffic controllers that the cockpit was secure and that the altercation was “contained for the moment,” but requested police assistance upon landing, noting that clothes were torn during the altercation.

Pilot: “It’s kinda crazy” A charted Saab 2000 operated by Meregrass was forced to declare an emergency and divert to Montgomery, Alabama because of a fight that broke out between Auburn basketball players.

Audio via @liveatc https://t.co/YqWUFY0Gem pic.twitter.com/ANTqdytH6W

— Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) November 9, 2024

N681PA (QHD681) returns to Auburn after declaring an emergency.

Auburn basketball players had an altercation onboard. pic.twitter.com/TYm4lqYVrO

— Jack Sweeney (@Jxck_Sweeney) November 9, 2024

The conflict reportedly stemmed from “horseplay” among players, escalating into verbal confrontations. ESPN reporting suggests that the skirmish had been diffused before it turned serious. Auburn’s athletic department has not released an official statement regarding consequences. A replacement flight was arranged, and Auburn is expected to face Houston as planned on Saturday.