Overview

• About 30 to 60 minutes into American Airlines Flight 3359, Priester removed his shirt, ran to the rear of the cabin yelling “Help me,” then grabbed and forced a flight attendant to the floor.
• Passengers intervened and the captain declared an emergency, diverting the flight back to Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut.
• Upon landing, Connecticut State Police removed Priester and he was taken to a hospital for evaluation before appearing in federal court.
• He faces a federal charge of interference with flight crew members and attendants, carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
• The FAA reported 637 unruly passenger incidents in the first five months of 2025, underscoring rising in-flight safety challenges.