An American Airlines flight was forced to divert to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on September 3, 2026, after an unruly 67-year-old passenger launched into a violent, racist, and homophobic tirade. Crew members and fellow passengers physically restrained the man in his first-class seat using zip ties and duct tape before law enforcement took him into custody upon landing. Here’s everything you need to know about the incident.
American Airlines Passenger Duct-Taped To Seat
Witnesses reported that about two-and-a-half hours into the flight, Lundeen suddenly became belligerent and appeared intoxicated. He began shouting at the person sitting next to him and aggressively directed racist and homophobic slurs at a flight attendant.
According to passenger accounts, the situation quickly turned physical when Lundeen allegedly placed his hands around a fellow traveler’s neck and pushed a female passenger who tried to step in and help.
A retired law enforcement officer, Juan Mejia, along with his friend Richard Olenick and another male passenger, sprang into action. Flight attendants handed them zip ties and duct tape, which they used to secure Lundeen’s wrists, torso, and head to his first-class seat to contain the threat. During the struggle, Mejia noted that the passenger bit his hand and suffered self-inflicted cuts.
Aftermath and Legal Charges on American Airlines Passenger
The flight made an emergency diversion to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) around 10:15 p.m., where the Maryland Transportation Authority Police boarded the plane and took Lundeen into custody.
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State Charges: Lundeen has been officially charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He was later released on bail on his own recognizance, with a trial scheduled for October 19.
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Federal Investigation: Because the assault happened midair, the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are actively investigating the event to determine if federal charges are appropriate.
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The Airline’s Stance: American Airlines released a statement reiterating their zero-tolerance policy for violence, thanking their crew members for their professionalism and the travelers for their understanding.
The FAA noted that this altercation is part of a broader trend, representing one of more than 1,160 unruly passenger incidents reported so far in 2026.
Who is the American Airlines Passenger Duct-Taped To Seat After Midair Outburst
The passenger involved in the incident has been identified as 67-year-old Arthur Lundeen, a resident of Arizona.
He was traveling in the first-class cabin of American Airlines Flight 618 when the outburst occurred. Following the flight’s emergency diversion to Baltimore, Lundeen was taken into police custody and has since been charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.
