🚨 BREAKING: ARIZONA REALTOR IDENTIFIED AFTER BEING DUCT-TAPED TO HIS SEAT DURING MID-AIR MELTDOWN

The passenger at the center of a shocking viral airplane incident has now been identified — and the fallout is getting even bigger.

Arthur Layne Lundeen, 67, a Tucson, Arizona, real estate agent, has been identified as the man who was restrained with duct tape and zip ties aboard an American Airlines flight after an alleged explosive outburst in midair.

The flight was American Airlines Flight 618, traveling from Dallas to Newark on September 3.

At first, the flight was reportedly routine.

Then everything changed.

According to witnesses, Lundeen allegedly became increasingly aggressive, shouting racial and homophobic slurs and directing the N-word at a Black flight attendant.

The situation reportedly escalated from disturbing language to physical violence.

A passenger sitting near Lundeen became involved in the confrontation, and witnesses said Lundeen allegedly attacked him.

Two passengers eventually stepped in to help restrain him.

One of them was Juan Mejia, a retired law enforcement officer.

Another was Richard O’Lenick.

But restraining Lundeen reportedly proved extremely difficult.

Witnesses said he continued fighting, and Mejia told reporters that Lundeen allegedly bit him during the struggle.

Flight attendants eventually provided zip ties.

But according to the witnesses, even those restraints were not enough.

So the passengers and crew turned to what was available:

DUCT TAPE.

Lundeen was ultimately secured to his seat, with tape reportedly used around his body and even his head to prevent him from continuing to attack or bite people.

Photos and video from inside the aircraft quickly spread online, showing the 67-year-old passenger bound to his seat while other passengers and crew members stood nearby.

The bizarre scene was not the end of the incident.

The aircraft was forced to make an emergency diversion to Baltimore, where law enforcement was waiting when the plane landed.

Lundeen was taken into custody by Maryland Transportation Police.

He now faces Maryland state charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

The FBI is also investigating and is expected to determine whether federal charges are warranted.

And then came another major consequence.

Lundeen was reportedly affiliated with Long Realty in Tucson, where he had worked as a real estate professional.

The company has now cut ties with him.

Long Realty said the conduct described in reports was completely inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity and respect expected from people associated with the company.

But questions about what triggered the bizarre meltdown are still being raised.

According to his seatmate, bestselling author Jonathan Cahn, Lundeen initially appeared friendly.

The two reportedly began talking about faith and God.

Then, according to Cahn, Lundeen’s demeanor suddenly changed.

He allegedly began shouting, cursing and behaving aggressively before the situation spiraled into a full-blown confrontation.

A new video released after the incident appears to show just how chaotic the situation became.

Even after being restrained, Lundeen could reportedly still be heard shouting insults from his seat.

Now investigators are left trying to piece together exactly what happened during those critical minutes in the air.

Was alcohol involved?

What caused the sudden change in behavior?

And could federal charges ultimately follow?

Those questions remain under investigation.

For the passengers aboard Flight 618, however, the experience was already terrifying enough.

A routine flight from Texas to New Jersey suddenly became a scene of shouting, violence, restraints and an emergency landing.

And by the time the plane reached Baltimore, the man at the center of it all was literally taped to his seat.

🚨 Now the identity is public.
His job is gone.
He has been arrested.
And the federal investigation is still underway.

What really triggered the mid-air meltdown?