American Airlines flight diverted after passenger is duct-taped and zip-tied to his seat

An American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark was diverted to Baltimore on Thursday night after a passenger allegedly became violent and had to be restrained to his seat by fellow passengers. The incident occurred aboard American Airlines flight AA618, operated from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport. According to reports, the passenger, identified as 67-year-old Arthur Lundeen of Arizona, became increasingly disruptive during the flight.

Witnesses said Lundeen began shouting offensive racial and homophobic remarks and became physically aggressive. He allegedly struck another passenger and damaged the passenger’s computer. When a flight attendant and other passengers attempted to intervene, the situation escalated further.

Several passengers eventually helped restrain the man. He was secured to his seat using duct tape, while his hands were restrained with zip ties. Maryland transportation police later confirmed that officers found the passenger restrained to his seat when they boarded the aircraft at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

The crew contacted authorities and the pilots decided to divert the Boeing 737-800 aircraft (tail number N889NN) to Baltimore rather than continue to Newark. Police boarded the aircraft after landing and took the passenger into custody.

American Airlines confirmed that flight AA618 was diverted because of a disruptive passenger and said the safety of its customers and crew remains its priority. The FBI is also involved in the investigation as authorities determine whether to bring federal charges.

The aircraft subsequently continued to Newark after the passenger had been removed.

The extraordinary images of a passenger apparently duct-taped and zip-tied to an aircraft seat have since circulated widely on social media. However, the circumstances leading to the restraint and the precise sequence of events remain under investigation.

A passenger was duct-taped to his seat after allegedly making racist and anti-gay remarks on an American Airlines flight.

According to TMZ, the man allegedly used the N-word toward a Black flight attendant and became violent, hitting another passenger and pushing a woman who… pic.twitter.com/GuqwkeEdoh

— Complex (@Complex) September 4, 2026