ARIZONA REALTOR IDENTIFIED AS PASSENGER DUCT-TAPED TO SEAT AFTER CHAOTIC MID-FLIGHT OUTBURST

A 67-year-old Arizona realtor has been identified as the passenger who was duct-taped to his seat after an alleged violent and profanity-filled outburst forced an American Airlines flight to divert to Baltimore.

Arthur “Layne” Lundeen, 67, of Tucson, was traveling in first class aboard American Airlines Flight 618, which was flying from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport on September 3.

About two hours into the flight, witnesses say the situation suddenly began to spiral.

According to PEOPLE and law-enforcement records, Lundeen allegedly shouted racial and homophobic slurs, used vulgar language and directed offensive remarks at passengers and members of the crew.

Then, investigators say, the confrontation became physical.

PASSENGERS SAY THE SITUATION TURNED VIOLENT

Juan Mejia, a passenger who identified himself as a former law-enforcement officer, told ABC News that he and his travel companion Richard Olenick noticed the disturbance and intervened when Lundeen allegedly became physical.

Witness accounts described a chaotic confrontation inside the aircraft.

PEOPLE reported that Lundeen allegedly choked the passenger sitting beside him and bit one of the people who attempted to restrain him.

Other accounts allege that he struck another passenger and pushed a woman who tried to intervene.

The situation became serious enough that passengers and crew members decided they had to physically restrain him.

DUCT TAPE AND ZIP TIES

What happened next produced the extraordinary images that would later spread across social media.

Several passengers, with assistance from the flight crew, restrained Lundeen using duct tape and zip ties.

He was secured to his seat for the remaining portion of the flight, with his hands restrained and his body held in place until the aircraft could land.

PEOPLE reported that the restraint lasted for roughly 15 minutes, as the plane diverted toward Baltimore.

The passengers involved later said their goal was not to hurt Lundeen, but to prevent the confrontation from escalating further.

FLIGHT 618 DIVERTED TO BALTIMORE

The aircraft was diverted from its planned route and landed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport at approximately 10:15 p.m. local time.

Law enforcement officers were waiting when the plane arrived.

Maryland Transportation Authority Police took Lundeen into custody after he was removed from the aircraft.

He was charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident.

The flight was subsequently able to continue to Newark after Lundeen had been removed.

The FBI is investigating the events that occurred in the air and is considering whether federal charges may be appropriate. The FAA is also investigating.

THE PASSENGER’S IDENTITY IS REVEALED

As images of the incident spread online, Lundeen’s identity became public.

He was identified as Arthur “Layne” Lundeen, a 67-year-old Tucson resident and longtime real-estate professional.

His LinkedIn profile reportedly listed him as a vice president at Long Realty in Tucson before the profile was removed.

Long Realty subsequently terminated his employment following the incident, according to local reporting.

The revelation added another unexpected twist to an incident that had already attracted widespread attention because of the extraordinary images taken aboard the aircraft.

DID ALCOHOL PLAY A ROLE?

Another question remains unanswered: what caused Lundeen’s behavior to escalate so dramatically?

PEOPLE reported that Lundeen had been served one drink during the flight, but it remains unclear whether alcohol played any role in his alleged behavior.

Authorities have not publicly established a motive for the outburst.

American Airlines said the safety and security of its passengers and employees is its top priority and that it does not tolerate violence.

Lundeen was released following his initial court appearance and is scheduled to return to court on October 19, 2026. He has not been convicted of the charges against him.

For the passengers aboard Flight 618, however, the bizarre episode turned an ordinary trip from Texas to New Jersey into a flight they are unlikely to forget.

A first-class cabin. A sudden outburst. A diversion. And a passenger ultimately strapped to his own seat until police could take him away.

The biggest questions now move from the airplane to the courtroom: what exactly triggered the confrontation — and what will the ongoing investigations ultimately reveal?