A flight to Newark ended up in Baltimore after passengers helped restrain a man with duct tape and zip ties during an alleged violent outburst.
American Airlines Flight 618 left Dallas-Fort Worth on Thursday, September 3. Before it reached its destination, fellow travelers were helping the crew hold a passenger in his seat.
Police later identified him as Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona. He faces state charges, and the FBI is investigating the reported disturbance in the air.
Footage obtained by TMZ shows the struggle to secure the passenger. Warning: the following post describes offensive language.
A passenger was strapped to his seat after making racist and anti-LGBT remarks.
He allegedly screamed about Jesus & going to hell, called a Black flight attendant the N-word, used the F-slur, then became violent, hitting another passenger and striking their computer.
(Via TMZ) pic.twitter.com/HD1zrtx07V
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) September 4, 2026
According to Fox News, witnesses said the trouble began roughly two hours into the flight, when the man started yelling at the passenger beside him.
Fox, citing TMZ’s reporting, said he allegedly shouted racist and homophobic slurs, struck another passenger and pushed a woman who tried to intervene. Three male passengers then stepped in, using duct tape and zip ties supplied by flight attendants.
The airline confirmed to Fox that Flight 618 diverted to Baltimore because of a disruptive customer. Police met the aircraft and helped remove the passenger before the flight continued to Newark.
American thanked its crew for their professionalism and passengers for their understanding. It said safety is its priority and that violence is unacceptable.
Complex shared images from the incident alongside the reported allegations that prompted fellow passengers to intervene:
A passenger was duct-taped to his seat after allegedly making racist and anti-gay remarks on an American Airlines flight.
According to TMZ, the man allegedly used the N-word toward a Black flight attendant and became violent, hitting another passenger and pushing a woman who… pic.twitter.com/GuqwkeEdoh
— Complex (@Complex) September 4, 2026
For the people seated nearby, this was a frightening interruption to what should have been an ordinary flight home.
ABC News spoke with Juan Mejia, a former law enforcement officer, and his friend Richard Olenick, who were aboard the plane. They said they intervened after the passenger allegedly became physical, then stayed with him until police arrived.
Mejia said their aim was to restrain him and prevent the situation from escalating. Maryland Transportation Authority Police told ABC that Lundeen was arrested after landing and charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault for incidents aboard the aircraft at BWI.
That distinction matters: those state charges concern alleged conduct at the airport. The FBI is investigating what reportedly happened in flight.
The FAA is also investigating, according to ABC. Police said paramedics cleared Lundeen for an open wound on his arm that officers noticed while taking him into custody.
Photos circulating Saturday show the passenger secured to the seat, with tape across his torso and around his head:
American Airlines passenger duct tape to his seat following unruly behavior onboard flight AA618 Thursday night.
Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, was restrained to his seat with duct tape and his hands were restrained with zip ties, according to the Maryland Transportation… pic.twitter.com/s79nORwCvh
— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) September 5, 2026
The reports describe allegations, and the charges are not a conviction. The FBI said its investigation remained ongoing.
The flight eventually continued to Newark. Getting there required an unscheduled stop, police intervention and fellow passengers stepping in to help the crew.
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This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here.
