An American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark was forced to divert to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Thursday after a passenger, identified as 67-year-old Arthur Lundeen of Arizona, allegedly engaged in a disruptive and offensive tirade.
Witnesses reported that Lundeen, who appeared to be intoxicated, began yelling approximately 75% through the flight. His behavior escalated when he allegedly directed racist and homophobic slurs at a flight attendant and other passengers. According to reports, Lundeen also physically assaulted a passenger seated next to him, biting one man and attempting to bite another.
Juan Mejia, a retired police officer on board, described the incident as an abrupt shift from quiet to chaos. Mejia and another passenger intervened to help subdue Lundeen, with a flight attendant providing duct tape. They reportedly used zip ties and duct tape to secure Lundeen to his seat, wrapping the adhesive around his wrists, head, and body.
After the diversion, Lundeen was removed from the aircraft by authorities. American Airlines confirmed the flight's diversion was due to a 'disruptive customer.' The airline stated that the safety and security of its customers and team members is a top priority and that violence is not tolerated.
Lundeen was taken into custody on state charges, and federal charges may be filed by the FBI. The flight continued to Newark after Lundeen was deplaned.
