Fellow passengers restrained the 67-year-old with zip ties and duct tape before Flight 618 landed in Baltimore; he now faces assault and disorderly conduct charges
BALTIMORE — An Arizona real estate agent has lost his affiliation with a prominent Tucson brokerage after authorities say he became disruptive and violent aboard an American Airlines flight, allegedly directing racist and anti-gay slurs at others before fellow passengers helped restrain him.
Layne Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Tucson, faces Maryland charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct stemming from the Sept. 3 incident aboard American Airlines Flight 618, which was traveling from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark, New Jersey. The disturbance became serious enough for the aircraft to divert to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where police took Lundeen into custody.
Photographs showing Lundeen restrained in his first-class seat with duct tape and flexible zip ties subsequently circulated widely online, drawing national attention to the incident.
Flight Diverted to Baltimore
According to accounts from passengers and authorities, the disturbance erupted roughly two hours into the flight.
Witnesses described Lundeen as increasingly agitated and belligerent. He is accused of directing racial and homophobic slurs toward a flight attendant and others aboard the aircraft. Witnesses also alleged that the confrontation became physical, including an incident in which another passenger was grabbed around the neck.
Two passengers, Richard O’Lenick and Juan Mejia, were among those who intervened. Mejia has been described as a former law-enforcement officer.
The men helped bring Lundeen under control as flight attendants provided restraints. He was eventually secured with zip ties and duct tape while the aircraft headed toward Baltimore.
American Airlines confirmed that Flight 618 was diverted because of a disruptive passenger and said law enforcement removed the individual after landing. The airline emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew members remained its priority and said violence aboard its aircraft would not be tolerated.
After Lundeen was removed, the flight was able to continue toward Newark.
Real Estate Company Cuts Ties
The consequences quickly extended beyond the criminal case.
Long Realty Company, the Arizona brokerage with which Lundeen had been affiliated, announced that it had ended its relationship with him after learning about the incident and criminal charges.
The company said the conduct described in reports was inconsistent with the standards of professionalism, integrity, compassion and respect it expects from its real estate professionals.
Lundeen is therefore no longer authorized to represent the brokerage.
State Charges Filed
Maryland court records show Lundeen was charged following the diversion with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.
He was released on his own recognizance after his initial court appearance and is scheduled to return to court in Maryland on Oct. 19.
The charges remain allegations, and Lundeen is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.
The FBI has also been gathering information about the incident and consulting with federal prosecutors to determine whether federal charges are warranted.
Unruly Passenger Incidents Carry Serious Consequences
The episode is another reminder that disruptive behavior aboard commercial aircraft can quickly escalate into a major safety issue.
Cabins are confined environments in which violent confrontations can threaten passengers, crew members and flight operations. When disturbances cannot be safely controlled, pilots may divert aircraft so the disruptive passenger can be removed by law enforcement.
In Lundeen’s case, what began as an alleged verbal confrontation ultimately resulted in passengers physically intervening, an unscheduled landing, an arrest, criminal charges and the loss of his professional affiliation.
The viral images of him restrained in his seat have also transformed what happened aboard Flight 618 into a highly publicized example of how alleged misconduct during a flight can have consequences extending far beyond the aircraft.
For Lundeen, the legal consequences are still unfolding. His next scheduled court appearance will determine the next stage of the Maryland case, while federal authorities continue reviewing the circumstances surrounding the flight.
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