American Airlines passenger restrained with duct tape after mid-air assault on flight AA618

Outbreak of disorder in first class

American Airlines flight AA618 was en route from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday night when a violent disruption occurred in the first-class cabin. Approximately two hours after takeoff, 67-year-old passenger Arthur Lundeen began shouting about Jesus Christ and hell while appearing heavily intoxicated. Lundeen soon directed his aggression toward the passenger sitting beside him in the aisle seat. Without provocation, he grabbed the neighboring passenger by the neck and began choking him in full view of nearby travelers. A flight attendant approached the row to de-escalate the confrontation, but Lundeen turned on the crew member, who was African American, directing racist and homophobic insults at her. When another female passenger stepped forward to assist the flight attendant, Lundeen struck her and pushed her backward into the cabin aisle.

Suddenly, as if a switch were flipped, everything went from calm to shouting and chaos.

Restraint by fellow passengers

The escalation prompted several passengers to intervene directly to protect the crew and restore order. Retired police officer Juan Mejia and fellow traveler Richard Olenick, who were seated two rows in front of Lundeen, joined another passenger to physically subdue the man. A flight attendant provided flexible plastic zip ties to bind Lundeen's wrists while he resisted and yelled at the group to get off him. During the physical altercation, Lundeen bit Mejia on the arm and attempted to bite Olenick. The travelers then utilized a roll of duct tape supplied by the cabin crew, securing Lundeen's torso, wrists, and head firmly to his seat. Acting on Mejia's law enforcement experience, the passengers deliberately avoided placing tape over Lundeen's mouth so that his airways remained completely unobstructed. To prevent Lundeen from breaking free as he continued to thrash, Olenick remained seated on top of him for approximately 15 minutes. When Olenick briefly attempted to step back to his original seat, Lundeen resumed violent thrashing, forcing Olenick to pin him down once again until the plane began its descent.

Emergency landing and federal custody

Recognizing the ongoing risk to cabin safety, the flight crew declared an emergency diversion to the nearest suitable airfield. The aircraft touched down at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland, where emergency personnel and law enforcement were waiting on the tarmac. Officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation boarded the aircraft to remove Lundeen in restraints. Federal authorities assumed jurisdiction over the suspect because the physical assault and threats took place aboard an interstate commercial flight. Lundeen was escorted off the plane without further incident to other passengers or crew members. After the disruptive passenger was removed from the cabin, flight AA618 resumed its journey and flew onward to its final destination at Newark Liberty International Airport. American Airlines subsequently issued a statement thanking the crew and travelers for their conduct during the emergency.

The safety of our customers and team members is our top priority and violence is not tolerated. We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding.