Passenger taped to seat after attacking and biting people on U.S. flight

A 67-year-old passenger was restrained with duct tape after allegedly attacking people and shouting racist and homophobic insults during an American Airlines flight in the United States. Arthur Lundin began acting aggressively on Flight 618 from Dallas, Texas, to Newark, New Jersey.

Lundin allegedly punched the passenger seated beside him and then swung at a woman who tried to intervene. Flight attendants and other passengers were also subjected to racist and homophobic remarks. When the disturbance continued, three passengers, including former police officer Juan Mejia and his friend Richard Olenick, stepped in.

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The problem certainly wasn’t solved.

They used cable ties provided by the crew to bind Lundin’s hands. He then bit Mejia and tried to bite Olenick. The passengers used duct tape supplied by the crew to bind his calves and wrists, wrap his head and torso, and secure him to his seat. Olenick told CNN that Lundin’s ability to move had been reduced, but that “the problem certainly wasn’t solved.” Lundin continued trying to stand and resist, so Olenick sat on his knees for 15 minutes until the diverted flight landed at Baltimore-Washington International Airport.

Maryland transportation police arrested Lundin when the plane landed, and the flight continued to Newark. The reason for the outburst remained unclear. Lundin faces state charges of disorderly conduct and second-degree assault. The FBI said it was investigating the facts and would consult federal prosecutors about possible federal charges. Lundin, a real estate agent living in Tucson, Arizona, also lost his contract with his real estate company after the incident.

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I don’t know exactly what triggered it. Whatever the cause, it was a very violent incident.