The incident occurred approximately two hours into the flight, when the passenger reportedly began shouting offensive racial and homophobic slurs toward multiple passengers and members of the cabin crew.
According to passengers, the situation then escalated into a physical confrontation with another passenger. Two passengers, including a retired law-enforcement officer named Juan Mejia, intervened after the man became violent.
The crew and passengers used zip ties and duct tape to eventually restrain the individual. Photographs from the flight showed the passenger secured to his seat while the flight continued towards Baltimore.
Flight diverted to Baltimore
Thanks to the passenger disruption, Flight 618 had to be diverted to BWI.
American Airlines has confirmed that the flight was diverted because of a “disruptive customer.” According to the airlines, law enforcement met the plane after landing and removed the passenger before the flight continued on to Newark.
The passenger was identified by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police identified as 67-year-old Arthur Lundeen of Arizona. He was arrested after the aircraft arrived at BWI and he was charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.
The incident is currently being investigated by the FBI and is expected to determine whether federal charges will be brought. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating the diversion.
American Airlines praises crew and passengers
American Airlines said that the safety and security of its passengers and employees remain its top priority and that they do not tolerate violence onboard its aircraft.
The airline also praised and thanked its crew for their professionalism and passengers for their cooperation during the incident.
Flight crews face many challenges in relation to disruptive passengers and this is just one of them. Though diversions due to such cases are relatively uncommon, airlines and crews have procedures in place to protect passengers and crew when an onboard situation escalates.
Authorities continue to investigate exactly what led to the confrontation and the events that occurred aboard the aircraft.
