Ohio Woman Allegedly Tried To Open Plane Door Midflight, Kicked And Spit At Flight Crew

An Ohio woman is facing federal charges after allegedly attempting to open the rear door of a plane midflight, prompting an emergency landing in Oklahoma City last month.

A federal grand jury on Tuesday charged Jendaya Kashar Brennan, 30, with interference with flight crew members and attendants, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma.

The charges stem from a May 22 incident aboard a Southwest Airlines flight headed to Phoenix, Ariz. According to public records, the FBIs Oklahoma City Field Office was notified that Brennan had caused a disturbance midair, attempting to exit the plane through the rear door while it was still in flight.

Flight crew members tried to calm Brennan, but she allegedly continued screaming that she was going to open the door. She allegedly kicked and spit at crew members as they tried to restrain her with wrist restraints and even grabbed a crew members lanyard in an apparent attempt to pull the crew member to the ground.

Even after her hands and legs were restrained, Brennan allegedly broke through the wrist restraints and had to be physically held down to prevent her from assaulting the flight crew or other passengers. The planes pilot, who heard the disturbance, diverted the flight to Oklahoma City.

Once the aircraft landed safely, the Oklahoma City Police Department removed Brennan from the plane.

If convicted, Brennan faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

The case is being investigated by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Dillon and Jessica L. Perry are prosecuting the case.