Passenger duct-taped to first-class seat after racial slurs on American Airlines flight

A 67-year-old man from Arizona, identified as Arthur Lundeen, was arrested after allegedly assaulting other passengers on an American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Newark, New Jersey. The disturbance erupted about two hours into the flight, according to witnesses and reports from CBS News New York and ABC News.

The incident began with racial slurs and anti-gay remarks directed towards a passenger seated in an aisle seat. When a flight attendant attempted to de-escalate the situation, the man allegedly struck another passenger and damaged their laptop. Witnesses also reported that a woman who tried to intervene was struck, with one account stating the man bit her hand and left visible teeth marks, though no deep injuries.

To subdue the man, duct tape and zip ties were handed to three male passengers by the flight attendants. The witnesses claimed that the man was restrained and secured to his seat using tape wrapped around his wrists, torso, and head. Photos from the scene showed the duct tape still in place, though Lundeen was reportedly bleeding from self-inflicted cuts.

Upon landing at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, law enforcement met the aircraft and removed Lundeen before the flight continued to Newark. The Maryland Transportation Authority Police confirmed he was booked on state charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, with his trial set for October 19. He was released on his own recognizance.

The FBI's Baltimore field office is separately investigating the incident, consulting with the U.S. attorney's office for the District of Maryland to determine if federal charges will follow. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also launched its own investigation into the matter. The FAA reported over 1,160 unruly passenger incidents in 2026, with airlines facing potential fines exceeding $43,000 for such violations.