Overview
- On Thursday, Sept. 3, American Airlines Flight 618 from Dallas to Newark diverted to Baltimore after a first‑class passenger became violent and abusive and crew and fellow travelers restrained him with zip ties and duct tape.
- Fellow passengers named Richard O’Lenick and Juan Mejia say they helped subdue the man as flight attendants supplied restraints; video and photos of him taped to his seat circulated widely.
- Maryland Transportation Authority police arrested the passenger on landing and court records show he faces second‑degree assault and disorderly conduct charges; some reports say his next court date is Oct. 19.
- The man has been publicly identified as Arthur Layne Lundeen, 67, a Tucson real‑estate agent, and Long Realty said it has ended its affiliation with him and removed his company listings.
- Federal authorities are interviewing witnesses and consulting the U.S. Attorney’s Office to weigh possible federal charges, a development that highlights rising scrutiny of unruly passenger incidents and the limits of in‑flight restraints and crew responses.