Passenger Identified After Midair Restraint
The passenger duct-taped to his seat on American Airlines Flight 618 has been identified as Arthur Layne Lundeen, 67, a Tucson realtor listed as an associate broker and vice president-level member of Long Realty’s Tanque Verde team. The flight was traveling from Dallas to Newark on Thursday night when it diverted to Baltimore/Washington International. The diversion came after a passenger was accused of assaulting other passengers and using racial slurs, including calling a flight attendant the n-word. Air travel already has enough indignities without turning the cabin into a rolling city council meeting with worse snacks.
Witnesses Describe A Cabin Meltdown
Witnesses Juan Mejia and Richard Olenick, who helped hold the man, told CBS the passenger two rows behind them became belligerent toward American Airlines staff and other passengers. Mejia said the man used racial slurs, anti-gay insults, and vulgar language aimed at women. Mejia said he moved into the next seat to help contain him after the situation escalated. According to The New York Times, Lundeen struggled, yelled that the plane was going down, and bit Mejia’s hand before a flight attendant handed over tape. Mejia then wrapped the tape around the man’s body, seat, and head. It was not exactly the in-flight service anyone ordered, but it appears the passengers chose “restore order” from the emergency menu.
Video From The Flight
Charges And Investigations Now Follow
Maryland Transportation Authority Police booked Lundeen on misdemeanor second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. He waived a lawyer during an initial appearance Friday, was released on his own recognizance, and is due back in Anne Arundel County District Court on October 19. The FBI said it is interviewing witnesses and will consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to determine whether federal charges will be filed. The FAA is also investigating. When a commercial flight diverts because of a disruptive passenger, the paperwork tends to multiply faster than boarding groups at the gate.
American Airlines And Long Realty Respond, Or Do Not
American Airlines said the flight diverted “due to a disruptive customer” and said employee and passenger safety comes first. That is the sort of statement corporate offices keep polished and ready, because modern air travel now requires both seat belts and crisis communications. Long Realty’s public contact page for Lundeen is down, according to the source report, and the company has not publicly commented on the incident. For now, the case sits with local police, federal investigators, the FAA, and a court date in Maryland, which means the next updates will likely come through the justice system rather than the rumor mill.
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