American Airlines passenger duct-taped to seat by fellow flyers after midflight meltdownAmerican Airlines flight was forced to divert its route after a 67-year-old man, identified as Arthur Lundeen, caused disruption midflight on Thursday, September 3.
An unruly passenger onboard the American Airlines Flight AA 618, who caused a ruckus, was strapped to his seat with duct tape, and his hands were buckled with zip ties by fellow passengers.
Flight 618 was en route to Newark and took off from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport when the crew reported the unruly behaviour of the passenger, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
American Airlines issued a statement and said, “The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we do not tolerate violence.”
Arthur, a native of Arizona, was arrested following the flight that made an emergency landing at the Dallas airport by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.
The FAA, however, didn’t provide details of what actually led to the disruption midflight and said an investigation is ongoing, which caused the plane to divert to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport around 10:15 p.m. ET, and it is investigating the incident.
Multiple media reports claimed that two passengers who stayed with Lundeen until law enforcement officials boarded the plane and arrested him after they landed in Baltimore.
“We weren’t looking to hurt this individual; we were looking more to restrain him and control him, so it didn’t escalate to go any further,” said Juan Mejia, one of the passengers.
Lundeen was offloaded from the plane, and the flight carried on to Newark, per American Airlines.