An American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark was diverted to Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) late Thursday after a passenger allegedly became violent and used racial slurs, prompting crew and passengers to restrain him with duct tape and zip ties.
Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, was removed from the flight by law enforcement in Baltimore and later arrested on state charges, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority Police. The FBI is now investigating the incident and consulting with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to determine if federal charges will apply.
The incident occurred on American Airlines flight AA 618, which departed Dallas and was en route to Newark around 10:15 p.m. when the plane made an unscheduled stop in Baltimore. The flight resumed to Newark after Lundeen was removed.
Restraint and Alleged Violent Behavior
Passengers and crew intervened after Lundeen allegedly became belligerent, making derogatory remarks to flight attendants and other passengers, including racial slurs and homophobic comments. Witnesses reported that he then became physically aggressive, attacking a passenger seated next to him by grabbing his neck.
Two passengers, including retired law enforcement officer Juan Mejia, intervened to restrain Lundeen. With assistance from a flight attendant, they used duct tape and zip ties to secure him to his seat until the plane could land in Baltimore. A photo shared by passenger Richard Olenick showed Lundeen with multiple loops of tape around his wrists, torso, and head while seated in a first-class seat.
Official Responses and Ongoing Investigation
American Airlines issued a statement emphasizing that the safety and security of customers and crew are their top priority and that they do not tolerate violence. The airline thanked its team members and passengers for their professionalism.
The FBI confirmed that Lundeen is in custody on state charges but is also conducting interviews to determine if federal charges will be filed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported the diversion to BWI and is also probing the incident.
Passenger Accounts and Witness Statements
Mejia and Olenick, who were seated nearby, described the escalation as sudden and severe. Mejia stated that Lundeen began making offensive remarks to passengers and staff before becoming physically aggressive. Olenick recounted that Mejia immediately intervened, restraining Lundeen to prevent further harm.
Video obtained by TMZ showed crew members and passengers working together to secure Lundeen with duct tape. The footage corroborates witness accounts of the restraint process.
Background and Next Steps
The FBI has not yet released further details about the nature of the disruption beyond the alleged racial slurs and physical altercation. Authorities have not specified whether alcohol or other factors contributed to Lundeen’s behavior. The investigation remains ongoing, with federal and state agencies coordinating to assess potential charges.