06.09.2026 11:00
On an American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark, a passenger sparked major tension on board by making racist remarks toward a Black flight attendant and attacking those around him. The passenger was restrained to his seat with plastic handcuffs and tape by the cabin crew and other passengers, forcing the plane to be diverted to Baltimore. After the aircraft landed, 67-year-old Arthur Lundeen was taken into custody, and an investigation into the incident has been launched.
Chaos erupted on American Airlines flight 618 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark when a passenger used racist and homophobic slurs and attacked those around him. After the unruly passenger could not be subdued, he was restrained to his seat using duct tape and plastic handcuffs with the intervention of the cabin crew and other passengers. The plane was diverted to Baltimore due to the incident.
About two hours into the flight, a male passenger traveling in first class began arguing with the person seated next to him. According to eyewitnesses, the passenger became increasingly aggressive, physically assaulting the person next to him and damaging his computer.
RACIST INSULTS AGAINST BLACK CABIN CREW MEMBER
The passenger, who was said to have also directed racist insults at a Black cabin crew member who tried to calm the situation, was also reported to have used homophobic language. He was also reported to have shoved a female passenger who tried to intervene.
As the situation escalated out of control, the cabin crew and some passengers intervened. The man, who continued to resist, had his hands and torso secured to the seat with duct tape and plastic handcuffs.
PLANE LANDED IN BALTIMORE
Following the events, the plane, which was scheduled to go to Newark, changed its route and landed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Police boarded the plane and took the passenger into custody; the plane then continued its journey to Newark.
NBC Los Angeles
The FBI has launched an investigation into the incident, and it was reported that authorities are evaluating whether federal charges will be filed against the passenger. American Airlines has stated that violence will not be tolerated on its flights.