A man was duct taped to his seat on an American Airlines flight after going on a racist and homophobic rant involving alcohol that caused the plane to be diverted.
Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizonawho allegedly had to be zip-tied and duct taped to his seat on Flight 618 from Dallas, Texasto Newark, New Jersey, TMZ reported.
Lundeen, who the passengers said appeared drunk, began yelling at the male passenger sitting next to him around 10 p.m., when the flight was 75 percent of the way through.
The 67-year-old was reportedly going on a rant about Jesus and going to hell, which led to a flight attendant stopping by to see what the commotion was, sources told TMZ.
Lundeen, who was in first class, then allegedly called the black flight attendant the N-word and made homophobic comments, the outlet reported.
A female passenger tried to help, but the unruly passenger reportedly pushed her, causing three male passengers to stand up.
Lundeen then allegedly bit a male passenger and attempted to bite another.
“Like a light switch, it suddenly went from quiet to shouting and chaos,” said Juan Mejia, a retired police officer who was aboard the flight. CBS News.
“I turned to look, and the poor gentleman sitting next to him in the aisle seat had his hands around his neck and was attacking him.”
Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, reportedly had to be zip-tied and duct taped to his seat on Flight 618 from Dallas, Texas, to Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday after he allegedly went on a racist and homophobic tirade
“Like a light switch, it suddenly went from quiet to shouting and chaos,” said Juan Mejia, a retired police officer who was aboard the plane.
Mejia and Richard Olenick, both sitting two rows in front of Lundeen, jumped up to help.
A flight attendant handed the men duct tape and they reportedly tied him up, wrapping the gray glue around his wrists, head and body to secure him to the seat.
Lundeen reportedly tried to get out of his restraints, but the male passengers held him down.
Flight 618 was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and landed 15 minutes later.
Lundeen was taken into custody on state charges and according to TMZ, federal charges could also be filed by the FBI.
Lundeen also allegedly hit his seatmate and broke his computer.
American Airlines told the Daily Mail that the flight was diverted due to a “disruptive customer.”
Lundeen was taken off the plane and the flight then continued to Newark.
The plane was diverted to an airport in Baltimore, where Lundeen was removed, and then flew to Newark
“The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority, and we will not tolerate violence,” a spokesperson said.
“We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding.”
The Daily Mail has contacted the FAA for comment.
