Overview
- Passengers and crew restrained a disruptive first‑class traveler with plastic zip ties and duct tape after he became aggressive on American Airlines flight AA618.
- The Boeing 737 was diverted to Baltimore and landed safely, where Maryland Transportation Authority Police took the man into custody on state charges.
- The FBI has interviewed witnesses and is conducting a federal review to determine whether federal charges are warranted.
- Witnesses say the man hurled racist and homophobic insults and physically attacked other passengers and a crew member, including biting an intervening passenger.
- The episode, which occurred on Thursday during the Dallas–Fort Worth to Newark flight, comes as the FAA reports a rise in unruly passenger incidents and can levy civil fines for interference with crew.