Three injured in midair hijack scare after passenger tried to enter the cockpit of a Delta plane in the US

THREE people were injured and military jets scrambled after a passenger attacked a flight attendant and tried to enter the cockpit of a plane in the US.

THREE people have been injured during a terrifying midair incident on an aircraft in the United States, after a passenger tried to barge into the cockpit.

The Delta Airlines flight 129 from Seattle to Beijing in China was forced to turn back shortly after taking off on Thursday evening local time.

CNN reports the passenger tried to force his way through the flight deck door, while the Washington Post adds that the man attacked a flight attendant in the first class cabin.

One crew member and two other travellers were injured in a scuffle that followed. Two people were hospitalised.

The plane reportedly received an escort by military jets that were scrambled.

Delta Airlines is yet to comment about the incident on board light 129. Picture: FILE

Delta issues a brief statement on the incident, which occured about 7pm local time (12pm AEST) forced the Boeing 767-300 to make an emergency return to Seattle — Tacoma International Airport.

MORE: Passenger tries to enter cockpit after Delta flight takes off from Seattle, injuring 3 before being restrained https://t.co/fZkHPkuCgd pic.twitter.com/8yQUmE5ZMH

— BNO News (@BNONews) July 7, 2017

It said: “Flight 129 returned to Seattle following a security incident with a passenger.

“The passenger was restrained onboard and was removed from the flight by law enforcement without further incident when the aircraft arrived back in Seattle.

“The flight is scheduled to re-depart for Beijing later this evening.”

Delta airlines flight returns to Seattle with U.S. Air Force escort after passenger tried to enter cockpit.

— The Millennial Post (@tmillennialpost) July 7, 2017