Passengers use zip ties, duct tape to restrain man on US flight

An American Airlines flight traveling from Dallas to Newark was forced to make an emergency landing in Baltimore after a 67-year-old passenger, Arthur Lundeen, from Tucson, Arizona, became violent. The incident occurred on Flight 618, which was proceeding normally when Lundeen began shouting vulgarities and racial slurs at a flight attendant.

Passenger Richard O'Lenick, 53, and Juan Mejia, a retired New Jersey police officer, intervened when Lundeen struck a passenger beside him and grabbed another by the throat. O'Lenick and Mejia, who work together at a shooting range, used zip ties and duct tape to restrain Lundeen. The struggle lasted approximately 10 minutes, during which Lundeen allegedly bit Mejia's hand and forearm.

The flight attendant provided zip ties initially, but they were insufficient to control Lundeen, who continued to struggle. Law enforcement officers boarded the aircraft upon landing at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Lundeen was removed before the plane continued to Newark. Lundeen was charged with two misdemeanors - second-degree assault and disorderly conduct - and waived his right to a lawyer at his initial court appearance, being released on his own recognizance.

He is due back in court on October 19. The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident.