An American Airlines passenger was detained after allegedly becoming violent on a flight from Dallas to Newark, prompting other passengers to restrain him using duct tape and zip ties. Arthur Layne Lundeen, a 67-year-old from Arizona, faced arrest after the American Airlines Flight 618 was redirected to Baltimore Washington International Airport on Thursday night amid claims of his violent behavior and use of racial slurs.
Incident Details
Lundeen has been charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct in Maryland. The FBI stated in an email to Newsweek that they are “conducting interviews to gather the facts” and will consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to assess the possibility of federal charges.
This event occurs against a backdrop of more than 1,000 annual reports of unruly passenger behavior recorded by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), although these figures remain significantly below the surge witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FAA highlights a decline of over 80% in the rate of incidents from early 2021 highs.
What Transpired on American Airlines Flight 618?
The flight was en route from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport when the situation unfolded. Juan Mejia, a passenger and former law enforcement officer, recounted that Lundeen became progressively belligerent, using offensive language and racial slurs. Mejia, along with another passenger, Richard Olenick, intervened as the situation reportedly turned physical.
Just like a light switch, all of a sudden, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos,” Mejia 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.
According to Mejia, “everyone in first class” was subject to his “spewing of hatred and discrimination.” Lundeen was eventually subdued with duct tape, and his hands were secured using zip ties. Photographs taken on the plane depict a man bound to a first-class seat, showing injuries to his arms.
Richard Olenick highlighted the unpredictability of Lundeen’s intentions, emphasizing the necessity of their intervention to manage the situation.
The flight diverted to Baltimore where law enforcement removed Lundeen before the aircraft continued to Newark. American Airlines emphasized in a statement to ABC News that it does not tolerate violence, with passenger and employee safety as a “top priority.”
About Arthur Lundeen
Arthur Layne Lundeen is identified as a resident of Tucson, Arizona. His LinkedIn profile describes him as an associate broker, realtor, and vice president member of the executive council at Long Realty Company, located in Tucson. The contact page for Lundeen on Long Realty’s website is currently inactive. Newsweek attempted to reach Long Realty for confirmation outside regular working hours.
Court records in Maryland’s District Court for Anne Arundel County display charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. Lundeen was released after an initial court appearance on September 4 and has a subsequent court date scheduled for October 19.
FAA Investigation
The FAA has confirmed the investigation. The agency reported that Flight 618 “landed safely” after reports of a passenger disturbance, subsequently continuing to its intended destination.
As of September 6, no federal charges had been filed. The agency reported more than 1,160 unruly passenger incidents in 2026. Incident rates have decreased over 80% from the early 2021 figures, when almost 6,000 incidents were noted over the year.
Unruly passengers might face both civil fines and criminal charges. The FAA can issue civil penalties up to $43,658 for each violation in such cases. A single incident may lead to multiple violations and fines. Enforcement can proceed against passengers who assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with airline staff. Severe cases could be presented to the FBI for criminal prosecution.
Under federal law, assaulting or intimidating a flight crew member, impeding their duties, can result in up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine. If a dangerous weapon is involved, the law allows for a lengthy or life sentence. The FAA warns that disruptive behavior could result in passengers losing TSA PreCheck privileges or being placed on an airline’s internal no-fly list.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Matthew Cannon and Cristina Diciu.