American Airlines Passenger Restrained With Duct Tape After Midair Outburst About Jesus and Hell

An American Airlines passenger was restrained with duct tape and zip ties after a violent midair disturbance forced a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark, New Jersey, to divert to Baltimore.

Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, was arrested after American Airlines Flight 618 landed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Thursday night, according to ABC News. Maryland Transportation Authority Police charged Lundeen with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault.

Witnesses said the trouble erupted about two hours into the flight.

“Just like a light switch, all of a sudden, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos,” retired law enforcement officer Juan Mejia told CBS News.

Fox News reported, citing TMZ, that Lundeen had been yelling about Jesus and people going to hell before a flight attendant approached him. Witnesses said the situation escalated as Lundeen directed a racial slur at a Black flight attendant, shouted anti-gay remarks and became physically violent with passengers.

Several passengers intervened. Flight attendants provided zip ties and duct tape, which passengers used to secure Lundeen to his seat until the aircraft reached Baltimore. Mejia told ABC News those restraining Lundeen were focused on controlling the situation rather than injuring him.

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American Airlines said it does “not tolerate violence” and thanked its crew members for their professionalism.

The FBI is now investigating what happened while the plane was in the air. A spokesperson said agents were conducting interviews and would consult federal prosecutors in Maryland to determine whether additional federal charges should be filed.

After Lundeen was removed from the aircraft, Flight 618 continued to Newark. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating the incident.

Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.