Southwest Passenger Assualt Attendants, Tries to Open Emergency Door

OKLAHOMA CITY- A 30-year-old passenger aboard a Southwest Airlines (WN) flight was indicted after allegedly assaulting crew members and attempting to open the emergency exit at 32,000 feet during a flight from Nashville (BNA) to Phoenix (PHX).

The midair incident occurred on May 22, 2025, aboard Southwest Airlines flight WN3239, prompting an emergency diversion to Oklahoma City (OKC), where the passenger, Jendaya Kashar Brennan, was taken into federal custody, PYOK reported.

Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr

Southwest Passenger Assault Attendants

According to federal court documents filed in the Western District of Oklahoma, Brennan attempted to forcibly open an emergency exit during flight WN3239 after it departed from Nashville International Airport (BNA) en route to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).

The aircraft was cruising at 32,000 feet when Brennan reportedly told flight attendants she was going to exit the plane midair.

Flight attendants stationed in the rear galley tried to de-escalate the situation, physically placing themselves in front of the emergency exit while ordering Brennan to return to her seat.

Brennan ignored repeated commands and allegedly lunged toward the door, attempting to pull the handle while shouting in English and Spanish.

Multiple witnesses, including two retired correctional officers traveling as passengers, intervened alongside four flight attendants to restrain Brennan.

The woman violently resisted, kicking, spitting, and grabbing a crew member’s neck lanyard in an attempt to bring her to the floor.

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Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr

Continued Resistance

Despite being handcuffed, Brennan reportedly continued to struggle and managed to break free from one set of restraints.

A flight attendant alerted the cockpit via phone, and upon hearing the disturbance, the pilots made an immediate decision to divert the aircraft to Will Rogers World Airport (OKC).

Law enforcement officers boarded the plane upon landing and took Brennan into custody. After being read her Miranda Rights, she allegedly admitted to physically assaulting the crew because they were preventing her from opening the exit door.

The FBI has since charged Brennan with interference with flight crew members, a serious federal offense that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

Brennan, a resident of Ohio, remains in federal detention pending further court appearances. The case is listed as United States of America v. Brennan.

While court proceedings unfold, Southwest Airlines (WN), headquartered in Dallas, has not released further statements but is reportedly cooperating with investigators.

Photo: Cado Photo

Rise in Disruptive Behaviour

Aviation analysts have pointed to a growing trend of passenger disruptions coinciding with delayed departures.

Although Southwest flight WN3239 was only delayed by approximately one hour, delays of this nature may provide opportunities for passengers to become intoxicated or agitated.

There is no confirmed evidence that a delay or substance use contributed to Brennan’s behavior, but the incident aligns with broader concerns about in-flight safety and the frequency of disruptive passenger events across U.S. carriers.

Statistical analysis reveals that 2023 generated 2,075 unruly passenger reports submitted to federal authorities. Investigators launched 512 formal investigations into reported incidents during the same period.

Enforcement officials initiated 402 formal enforcement actions against violating passengers. The FAA levied $7.5 million in total fines against unruly passengers throughout 2023.

Unruly passenger reports experienced substantial variations across recent years. The data demonstrates that 2017 recorded 544 incidents, establishing a baseline for comparison. Reports increased to 889 incidents in 2018, representing a 63 percent rise from the previous year. The trend continued with 1,161 reports in 2019, marking a 31 percent increase.

A significant decline occurred in 2020, with reports dropping to 1,009 incidents, representing a 13 percent decrease attributed to reduced air travel during pandemic restrictions. However, 2021 witnessed an unprecedented surge to 5,973 reported incidents, constituting a 492 percent increase from 2020 levels.

Subsequent years showed declining trends as 2022 recorded 2,455 incidents, reflecting a 59 percent reduction from peak levels. The downward trajectory continued in 2023 with 2,076 incidents, marking a 15 percent decrease. Early 2024 data indicates 2,102 incidents, showing a marginal 1 percent increase, while 2025 year-to-date figures report 672 incidents.

Aviation industry officials acknowledge that unruly passenger incidents declined by over 80 percent from early 2021 peak levels.

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