Flight Diverted After Assault
American Airlines flight diverted to Baltimore after passengers restrain disruptive passenger.
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Key Points
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A passenger told NBC New York that the flight, normally about 3.5 hours, became an eight-hour ordeal after the diversion and ensuing response.
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Witnesses said passengers and crew restrained the man partly because they feared he might try to enter the cockpit, creating an additional flight-security concern.
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American Airlines said, “The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we do not tolerate violence,” while thanking the crew for their professionalism and passengers for their understanding.
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Police said the passenger was still being held by two men at Gate C3 when officers arrived in Baltimore; officers removed the restraints, handcuffed him and reported that he then struck one officer in the chest. His state trial was scheduled for Oct. 19.
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The incident occurred in the last row of first class, where video and photographs showed the man taped around his body, arms and head; witnesses said he had cuts and was bleeding after apparently injuring himself during the struggle.
An American Airlines passenger traveling from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark was restrained with zip ties and duct tape after he allegedly shouted racist and homophobic slurs, assaulted a seatmate, and pushed a woman who tried to intervene. Fox News reported that crew members and passengers, including former law-enforcement officers and an air marshal, subdued the man after calm attempts failed. The flight diverted to Baltimore, where police arrested 67-year-old Arizona resident Arthur Lundeen and charged him with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.
The ordeal stretched a typical 3.5-hour flight into an eight-hour nightmare for passengers. CBS News noted that Lundeen was released on his own recognizance, with his state trial set for October 19. The FBI and FAA are investigating, and federal prosecutors will determine whether additional charges apply.
How Passengers and Crew Subdued an Unruly Man
When the passenger began his outburst in the last row of first class, flight attendants tried to calm him down. Those efforts failed. WSVN reported that crew members and passengers worked together to restrain him using duct tape and zip ties—improvised materials supplied by the airline rather than standard restraint equipment. Passengers feared he might try to breach the cockpit, creating an additional security threat that left crew no choice but to act.
By the time police arrived at Gate C3 in Baltimore, two passengers were still holding the man down. Officers removed the duct tape and zip ties, then handcuffed him. Local 12 reported that he struck one officer in the chest during the removal process, adding another charge to his record.
Visible Injuries and Signs of Distress During Restraint
Video and photographs from the incident showed the passenger heavily wrapped in duct tape around his body, arms, and head. Witnesses said he had cuts and was bleeding, apparently from injuries he sustained while struggling against restraints. His appearance raised questions about whether he was intoxicated or experiencing a mental-health crisis at the time of the outburst.
Airline Response and Broader Safety Concerns
American Airlines released a statement thanking crew for their professionalism and passengers for their understanding. The carrier said, "The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we do not tolerate violence." The incident underscores the ongoing challenge airlines face when managing violent behavior in a confined space miles above ground.
Disruptive passenger incidents have drawn increased federal attention. A 2021 case involving a taped passenger resulted in an $81,950 civil penalty, signaling that the FAA takes such conduct seriously. As the FBI and FAA complete their investigations into this incident, federal prosecutors will decide whether to file charges beyond the state-level assault and disorderly conduct charges.
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