TD BALTIMORE, Maryland — An American Airlines passenger was arrested after he was allegedly involved in disruptive and violent behavior aboard a flight from Dallas to Newark, forcing the aircraft to divert to Baltimore, authorities and the airline said.
Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, was taken into custody after American Airlines Flight AA618 landed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Thursday night.
According to the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Lundeen was restrained in his seat with duct tape.
His hands were secured with zip ties, while law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft and arrested him.
Police said Lundeen was subsequently charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault for incidents that occurred aboard the aircraft and at the airport.
Passenger disturbance forces diversion
Flight AA618 departed Dallas and was traveling to Newark when the disturbance occurred, according to the FBI, the Federal Aviation Administration and American Airlines.
Passenger Juan Mejia, a former law enforcement officer who was aboard the flight, told ABC News that he began hearing a disturbance approximately three-quarters of the way through the journey.
Mejia alleged that Lundeen became belligerent toward airline employees and other passengers, using racial slurs and vulgar and offensive language.
Mejia and fellow passenger Richard Olenick said they began monitoring the situation before intervening after they alleged Lundeen became physical.
“Juan immediately knew that action had to be taken,” Olenick told ABC News.
Olenick described how Mejia moved toward Lundeen and helped restrain him.
The two passengers said their intention was to prevent the situation from escalating rather than injure Lundeen.
“We weren’t looking to hurt this individual; we were looking more to restrain him and control him, so it didn’t escalate to go any further,” Mejia said.
Plane diverted to Baltimore
The aircraft was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Airport at approximately 10:15 p.m., according to the FAA.
Authorities have not released detailed information about what specifically occurred during the flight that prompted the diversion.
Mejia and Olenick said they remained with Lundeen until police boarded the aircraft after it landed.
Lundeen was removed from the plane and taken into custody, while the flight subsequently continued to Newark, American Airlines said.
FBI investigating incident
The FBI is investigating the reported conduct that occurred while the aircraft was in the air, while the FAA is also examining the incident.
The Maryland Transportation Authority Police said Lundeen was evaluated by paramedics after officers noticed an open wound on his arm while taking him into custody.
He was cleared by paramedics.
American Airlines said it does not tolerate violence aboard its aircraft.
“The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we do not tolerate violence,” the airline said in a statement.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against Lundeen have not been adjudicated in court.
The incident is the latest in a series of cases involving unruly behavior aboard commercial aircraft in the United States.
Disruptive conduct can result in criminal charges, civil penalties, flight diversions and potential travel restrictions in the country.
