TAMPA, Fla. - Colby Issac Hilleary first thought the plane was headed in the wrong direction and that no one was flying it.
Then he said the plane was being hijacked.
Then he punched a flight attendant in the face.
That's what federal prosecutors say Hilleary, 24, of Greenville, Texas, did on an American Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale to Dallas on March 2 that resulted in an emergency landing at Tampa International Airport.
Prosecutors released details about the incident on Tuesday.
Hilleary made his first claim right after takeoff, also running to the front of the plane, prosecutors said.
"A flight attendant then told Hilleary that there were pilots flying the plane and that it was currently over the water, but would turn and head towards Dallas shortly," prosecutors said in a statement. "Hilleary eventually returned to his seat."
But his disruptive behavior continued, prosecutors said.
"The flight attendant approached Hilleary in his seat in an attempt to address his concerns and calm him down, but he continued his erratic behavior," the statement said. "Hilleary stated, 'The plane has been hijacked,' and became increasingly agitated. He then jumped up from his seat and physically attacked the flight attendant."
Hilleary landed the punch before passengers could subdue him, authorities said.
Hilleary is charged with interfering with the duties of a flight attendant and faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
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