PASSENGER DUCT-TAPED TO HIS SEAT AFTER MID-AIR OUTBURST FORCES EMERGENCY LANDING

What began as a routine cross-country flight suddenly descended into chaos when a first-class passenger allegedly launched into a violent outburst, forcing an American Airlines jet to make an emergency landing.

American Airlines Flight 618 was traveling from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport on Thursday, September 3, when the situation erupted roughly two hours into the flight.

According to passengers and reports cited by PEOPLE, the man allegedly began shouting racial and homophobic slurs before becoming physically aggressive toward people around him.

One passenger described the cabin as going from “quiet to yelling and chaos.”

Another witness said the man appeared to have his hands around the neck of the passenger sitting beside him.

PASSENGERS RUSHED TO HELP

As the situation escalated, passengers and members of the flight crew reportedly intervened.

Juan Mejia, who was seated nearby, said he immediately realized someone needed help and moved toward the disturbance.

But the confrontation reportedly became even more chaotic.

Mejia said the passenger bit his hand during the struggle, leaving teeth marks. He also said they were covered in the man’s blood.

Witnesses reportedly said the passenger had sustained cuts to himself during the incident.

With the situation continuing to unfold, the crew and passengers eventually managed to restrain him.

For the final portion of the flight, the man was secured to his first-class seat using duct tape and zip ties, according to reports.

THE PLANE WAS DIVERTED

Because of the disturbance, Flight 618 was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

The aircraft landed safely at approximately 10:15 p.m. local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Law enforcement officers were waiting when the plane arrived.

The passenger was removed from the aircraft and arrested, while the remaining passengers were eventually allowed to continue to Newark.

American Airlines confirmed that the airline had encountered a “disruptive customer” during the flight.

The carrier said the safety and security of its passengers and employees remained its highest priority and thanked the crew and passengers for their professionalism and patience.

WAS ALCOHOL INVOLVED?

Another question investigators are examining is what may have triggered the passenger’s behavior.

Passengers reportedly saw a flight attendant serve the man one drink during the flight.

However, it remains unclear whether alcohol played any role in the incident.

There is currently no confirmed evidence establishing that intoxication caused the alleged behavior.

FBI INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

The passenger was initially booked on state charges in Maryland by Maryland Transportation Authority Police.

The FBI confirmed that agents were interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence to determine whether additional federal charges should be filed.

The agency has urged anyone who experiences or witnesses criminal behavior aboard an aircraft to report it to the flight crew, airport police or the FBI.

At the time of PEOPLE’s initial report, authorities had not publicly identified the passenger.

A later PEOPLE report identified him as 67-year-old Layne Arthur Lundeen, a Tucson, Arizona, real-estate professional. His former company subsequently said it had ended its affiliation with him following the incident.

A FLIGHT NO ONE WILL FORGET

For the passengers aboard Flight 618, the incident transformed an ordinary trip into a terrifying experience.

Within minutes, a quiet first-class cabin reportedly became the scene of a physical confrontation, a diversion and an arrest.

And in an extraordinary end to the ordeal, fellow passengers and crew members were left restraining a man with duct tape and zip ties until the plane could safely reach the ground.

The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not yet announced whether federal charges will be added to the state case.