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A Southwest Airlines passenger was indicted on Tuesday, accused of assaulting a flight attendant, which in turn led to the flight being diverted.
Jendaya Kashar Brennan, 30, also tried to open the plane’s emergency exit in midair, says an FBI special agent’s affidavit.
The incident occurred on May 22 on Southwest Flight 3239 from Nashville to Phoenix.
Data from Flightradar24 shows how the Boeing 737 diverted to Oklahoma City, around halfway through the typically 3-hour journey.
Crew members told the FBI special agent that Brennan told the flight attendants she wanted to get off the plane.
Brennan, who was sitting in the last row, tried to use the rear exit door, while a flight attendant had to block her, per the affidavit.
It adds that after Brennan continued screaming and ignoring the crew’s requests to stop trying to exit the plane, two passengers were asked to help restrain her.
While somebody trying to open a plane’s exit in midair would be a frightening situation, it is not possible to actually open the door at altitude. The cabin’s pressure is much higher than outside, producing huge forces that keep the doors sealed shut.
The affidavit says that flight attendants started to apply wrist restraints to Brennan while she kicked them in the legs and spat at them.
It also says that Brennan tried to pull one flight attendant by their lanyard, before the crew also applied leg restraints.
“Brennan continued to fight the flight crew and broke her wrist restraints,” the affidavit says.
The two passengers, who were retired correctional officers, held down Brennan’s hand, per the affidavit.
The captain said he decided to divert the plane to Oklahoma City to prevent the flight attendants or passengers from being injured.
“Brennan continued to actively scream and yell until the flight landed,” and local police carried her off the plane, the affidavit says.
Brennan was charged with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants. If found guilty, she could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
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