Unruly passenger duct-taped to seat after mid-flight racist outburst
A disruptive traveller who allegedly hurled racist slurs and assaulted fellow passengers was restrained with zip ties and duct tape Thursday, forcing an American Airlines flight to make an emergency landing in Maryland.
Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct after the mid-air altercation. American Airlines Flight 618 was travelling from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Newark, New Jersey, when the confrontation erupted in the first-class cabin.
Witnesses reported the man became belligerent roughly halfway through the journey. He reportedly shouted profanities, racial slurs and homophobic abuse before physically striking the passenger seated next to him and a woman who attempted to intervene.
Passengers step in to help crew
When the situation escalated, retired New Jersey police officer Juan Mejia and fellow passenger Richard Olenick left their seats to assist the flight crew. A flight attendant provided the men with zip ties to secure Lundeen’s wrists.
The men struggled to subdue the 67-year-old, who bit Mejia and attempted to bite Olenick during the scuffle. The crew then supplied duct tape to further restrict his movements. Olenick and Mejia taped his upper body and arms to the seat, deliberately avoiding his mouth to ensure he could breathe without difficulty.
Despite the restraints, witnesses said the man continued to resist and push against the bindings for the remainder of the flight. Olenick sat on the passenger’s lap for 15 minutes to keep him pinned until the aircraft touched down. Both men noted the approaching 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks heightened their anxiety and prompted their swift response to the disturbance.
Federal authorities launch investigation
The aircraft diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where Maryland Transportation Authority Police officers boarded the plane. Lundeen was treated for a minor arm wound before authorities escorted him off the aircraft. The flight subsequently resumed its route to Newark.
The FBI‘s Baltimore field office has opened an inquiry into the incident and is consulting with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine if federal charges are warranted.
American Airlines issued a statement condemning the violence and praising crew members for their professionalism. The carrier emphasised that the safety of its staff and customers remains its highest priority.
The Federal Aviation Administration continues to grapple with a surge in violent behaviour aboard commercial flights. The agency has recorded more than 1,160 unruly passenger incidents so far in 2026. Those convicted of interfering with airline crews face severe criminal penalties and civil fines exceeding $43,000.
