Passenger Taped Down After Midair Incident

Passengers on an American Airlines flight used duct tape and zip ties to restrain a man until police and federal agents met the plane in Baltimore.

Story Snapshot

American Airlines confirmed Flight 618 diverted to Baltimore due to a disruptive passenger.
Reports say fellow passengers and crew used duct tape and zip ties to keep him restrained.
Police identified the man as a 67-year-old from Arizona and took him into custody.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) interviewed witnesses about possible federal charges.

What Happened Aboard Flight 618

American Airlines Flight 618 left Dallas-Fort Worth on September 3 bound for Newark. Mid-flight, a passenger became disruptive, according to the airline. The captain diverted to Baltimore so law enforcement could meet the aircraft. American Airlines thanked its crew and customers and said safety is its top priority, confirming the diversion and removal of the customer by police. ABC News reported the same flight details and diversion timeline.

Multiple outlets reported that people on board restrained the man using duct tape and zip ties until landing. Accounts from passengers described aggressive behavior and attempts to bite, which led to wrapping the passenger to the seat and securing his hands. One helper said they also secured his head to stop biting, describing a chaotic scene that forced quick action to protect others. At least one report said no injuries were reported after the diversion.

Law Enforcement Response And Next Steps

Maryland Transportation Authority Police boarded the plane after landing and removed the passenger from his seat. ABC News reported police identified him as Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, and that he had been restrained with duct tape and zip ties before arrest. The Federal Bureau of Investigation interviewed witnesses and coordinated with the United States Attorney’s Office in Maryland to assess federal charges. That step signals possible federal aviation safety violations beyond local charges.

American Airlines did not share detailed allegations about slurs or biting in its public statement. Those details came from passenger accounts carried by media outlets. The airline’s statement focused on the diversion decision and crew professionalism. That is standard practice during active investigations, when officials and airlines keep comments narrow while facts are gathered and charges are considered.

Why This Matters For Flyers And Crew

This event fits a wider pattern of unruly passenger cases that spiked in 2021 and then declined but stayed above pre-2020 levels. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported thousands of cases in 2021 and has said the rate is down more than 80 percent since the peak, yet still too high for safety and order in the cabin. The Department of Transportation also noted more than 1,240 reports in 2024, underscoring that crews still face real risks at altitude.

This is what happens when an in-flight disruption escalates beyond what the crew can safely control.

On an American Airlines flight from Fort Worth to Newark, a passenger reportedly became disruptive, allegedly yelling and directing racial and anti-gay slurs at a flight… pic.twitter.com/kEL38ZnaaK

— Aviation Reporter (@TripppleSeven7) September 5, 2026

When disruptions turn violent, crews must stabilize the cabin fast. That can mean using restraints on the spot and diverting to the nearest safe airport. Diversions delay everyone and cost airlines money, but they also prevent greater harm. The law allows strong penalties, including fines and federal charges, for interference with crew. The FBI’s role here shows how seriously authorities treat threats to safety on a commercial flight.