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Disruptive Passenger Duct-Taped to First-Class Seat as Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Flight crew and passengers restrained the man with duct tape and zip ties as federal investigators reviewed possible charges, officials said.
- On Thursday, September 3, 2026, American Airlines Flight 618 diverted to Baltimore after 67-year-old passenger Layne Arthur Lundeen allegedly became violent and hurled racial and anti-gay slurs, forcing an emergency landing.
- Roughly two hours into the flight from Dallas to Newark, Lundeen allegedly grabbed a seatmate's neck and struck a computer, prompting passengers and crew to intervene with duct tape and zip ties.
- "Just like a light switch, all of a sudden, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos," passenger Juan Mejia said, describing how he and Richard Olenick restrained Lundeen for 15 minutes until landing in Maryland.
- Long Realty Company CEO Kevin Kaplan terminated Lundeen's affiliation on September 5, citing conduct "wholly inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity, compassion, and respect for others" expected of their agents.
- Lundeen faces state charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, while the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland evaluate whether federal prosecution is warranted.
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Sydney Morning Herald+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
‘Spitting, kicking, headbutting’: Two men arrested after violent threats aboard flight
Passengers and crew members were forced to step in and restrain the men after they made threats about killing people and carrying a gun.
·North Sydney, Australia
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Moment duct-taped passenger launches odd manhood rant
New footage has emerged of Arthur Layne Lundeen, 67, the American Airlines passenger duct-taped and zip-tied to his seat, as he slurs a bizarre rant about another traveller’s manhood while the plane is forced into an emergency diversion.
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources377
Leaning Left55Leaning Right59Center69Last UpdatedBias Distribution38% Center
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources are Center
38% Center
L 30%
C 38%
R 32%
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