An American Airlines passenger was restrained with duct tape during a flight after an alleged alcohol-fueled outburst involving racist and homophobic remarks forced the aircraft to divert.
Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, was allegedly zip-tied and taped to his seat aboard Flight 618, which was traveling from Dallas, Texas, to Newark, New Jersey, TMZ reported.
Passengers said Lundeen appeared to be intoxicated when he began shouting at the man seated next to him at around 10pm, after the flight had completed roughly three-quarters of its route.
The disturbance escalated as the 67-year-old allegedly ranted about Jesus and going to hell, prompting a flight attendant to step in and check on the situation, sources told TMZ.
Lundeen, who was seated in first class, then allegedly directed the N-word at the Black flight attendant and made homophobic comments, according to the outlet.
A female passenger allegedly attempted to help, but the unruly passenger reportedly pushed her, causing three male passengers to get up.
Lundeen then allegedly bit one male passenger and attempted to bite another.
‘Just like a light switch, all of a sudden, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos,’ Juan Mejia, a retired police officer who was on the flight, told CBS News.
‘I turned around to look, and the poor gentleman that was sitting next to him in the aisle seat, the individual had his hands around his neck and was, like, assaulting him.’
Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, allegedly had to be zip-tied and duct-taped to his seat on Flight 618 from Dallas, Texas, to Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday after allegedly going on a racist and homophobic tirade
‘Just like a light switch, all of a sudden, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos,’ Juan Mejia, a retired police officer who was on the flight, said
Mejia and Richard Olenick, who were both sitting two rows in front of Lundeen, jumped up to help.
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A flight attendant handed the men duct tape, and they reportedly tied him up, wrapping the gray adhesive around his wrists, head, and body to secure him to the seat.
Lundeen allegedly tried to get out of his restraints and the male passengers held him down.
Flight 618 was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, landing 15 minutes later.
Lundeen was taken into custody on state charges, and federal charges could to be filed by the FBI, according to TMZ.
Lundeen also allegedly hit his seatmate and smashed his computer.
American Airlines told the Daily Mail the flight was diverted due to a ‘disruptive customer.’
Lundeen was deplaned and the flight then continued on to Newark.
The plane was diverted to a Baltimore airport, where Lundeen was removed. It then flew to Newark
‘The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we do not tolerate violence,’ a spokesperson said.
‘We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to the FAA for comment.