An unruly passenger was duct taped to his seat after an American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark was forced to divert to Baltimore following a midair disturbance, according to authorities and the airline.
The incident happened Thursday night aboard American Airlines Flight 618. The aircraft was traveling from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport when the situation escalated in the cabin.
According to investigators, the passenger was eventually restrained with duct tape and zip ties. Maryland Transportation Authority Police arrested him after the aircraft landed in Baltimore.
The passenger was identified as 67-year-old Arthur Lundeen of Arizona.
What happened aboard the flight?
Witness accounts cited by investigators and news outlets indicate the situation became increasingly disruptive while the aircraft was in flight.
A passenger, Richard Olenick, told CNN that the man became belligerent and allegedly struck the passenger seated next to him. A woman who attempted to intervene was also reportedly hit during the confrontation.
Juan Mejia, another passenger aboard the flight and a retired New Jersey police officer, also became involved as the disturbance escalated.
The growing confrontation eventually required passengers and crew members to restrain the man.
He was secured to his seat with duct tape, while his hands were restrained with zip ties, according to Maryland authorities. Photos from the aircraft showed the passenger restrained in his seat as the flight diverted to Baltimore.
Flight diverted to Baltimore
With the situation continuing to pose a safety concern, Flight 618 was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
The aircraft landed in Baltimore at about 10:15 p.m., according to reports. Law enforcement officers were waiting for the plane and took the passenger into custody after it arrived.
American Airlines confirmed that the flight had diverted because of a disruptive customer.
The airline said the safety and security of its passengers and crew remained its top priority and that it does not tolerate violence.
After the passenger was removed, the flight continued on to Newark.
Passenger faces charges
Lundeen was arrested by Maryland Transportation Authority Police following the incident.
Authorities said he faces state charges related to the alleged conduct on the aircraft. The incident is also being reviewed by federal authorities because it occurred during an interstate commercial flight.
The investigation is expected to determine the full circumstances surrounding the confrontation and whether additional federal charges are warranted.
The Federal Aviation Administration has also been notified of the incident.
Why the incident is drawing attention
Images showing an unruly passenger duct taped to an airplane seat quickly drew attention online, but the unusual restraint came after the situation reportedly became physical.
The incident also highlights the difficult circumstances airline crews can face when a passenger becomes violent or uncontrollable while an aircraft is thousands of feet above the ground.
Unlike a disturbance at an airport, flight crews cannot simply remove a disruptive passenger during a flight. When a situation becomes a threat to people aboard the aircraft, crew members must work to keep the cabin secure until the plane can safely land.
In this case, the decision to divert the aircraft allowed law enforcement to take over once the plane reached the ground.
For passengers aboard Flight 618, what began as a trip from Texas to New Jersey ended with an unexpected stop in Maryland — and the arrest of the man whose alleged behavior triggered the diversion.
The investigation remains ongoing.
