Unruly passenger restrained with duct tape
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Arthur Lundeen, 67, was duct-taped and zip-tied on American Airlines flight 618, diverted to Baltimore. He faces disorderly conduct and second-degree assault charges.
Background
On Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark was diverted to Baltimore after a passenger became disruptive, shouting slurs and assaulting others. Fellow passengers and crew restrained him with duct tape and zip ties until landing. The incident is part of a broader trend of unruly passenger cases, with over 1,160 reported this year.
How it unfolded
- Sep 3, 2026American Airlines flight 618 from Dallas to Newark diverts to Baltimore after passenger Arthur Lundeen becomes disruptive, shouting slurs and assaulting others.
- Sep 3, 2026Passengers and crew restrain Lundeen with duct tape and zip ties; he is held until landing.
- Sep 4, 2026Lundeen is arrested by Maryland Transportation Authority Police and charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault.
- Sep 5, 2026Lundeen appears in court, waives right to lawyer, and is released on his own recognizance.
Who’s saying what
- Witnesses
- Passengers Mejia and Olenick said Lundeen's behavior was volatile and put everyone at risk, prompting them to intervene.
- Expert
- Travel expert Peter Greenberg said using duct tape and zip ties is common protocol for unruly passengers and is legal.
- Official
- Maryland Transportation Authority Police confirmed the arrest and charges, and the FBI is investigating the in-air incident.
Still unverified
Witnesses alleged Lundeen shouted racial and homophobic slurs and bit one passenger, but these claims are part of the ongoing investigation and not yet proven in court.