Fellow passengers restrained a 67-year-old Tucson real estate agent with zip ties and duct tape Thursday after he allegedly became violent aboard American Airlines Flight 618 from Dallas to Newark, and witnesses said he directed racial and anti-gay slurs at crew members, forcing the plane to divert to Baltimore.
Arthur Layne Lundeen — also listed as Layne Arthur Lundeen in Maryland court records — was arrested Sept. 3, 2026, after Flight 618 from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport landed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport around 10:15 p.m. Maryland Transportation Authority Police charged him with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. He was released on his own recognizance the next day and is scheduled to appear Oct. 19 in Glen Burnie District Court in Anne Arundel County.
The FBI is conducting interviews and consulting with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to determine whether federal charges will be filed, according to Newsweek. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating the disruption. Under the FAA Reauthorization Act, the agency can levy civil penalties of up to $43,658 per unruly-passenger incident in addition to any criminal prosecution, per IBTimes UK.
According to passenger accounts, the disturbance began about two hours into the flight, roughly three-quarters of the way to Newark, in the first-class cabin. Juan Mejia, a retired Weehawken, New Jersey, police officer, and Richard Olenick, 53, of Sparta, New Jersey, who owns the Gun for Hire shooting range in Woodland Park and works with Mejia, were seated two rows ahead.
Mejia told ABC News the man two rows behind them “started becoming belligerent, making derogatory remarks to the staff of American Airlines and other passengers, racial slurs, vulgar language, very offensive to the women” seated nearby. Witnesses told outlets including TMZ that Lundeen appeared intoxicated and was yelling about Jesus and people going to hell. When a Black flight attendant approached, he allegedly used a racial slur and anti-gay remarks.
The situation turned physical. Mejia described turning around to see Lundeen with his hands around the neck of the passenger beside him. Olenick and Mejia said Lundeen struck that passenger and the person’s computer. A woman who tried to intervene was struck or pushed, according to their accounts and other reports.
Mejia moved into the empty seat next to Lundeen to restrain him while Olenick and a third passenger helped. Flight attendants provided yellow zip ties, which the men used on Lundeen’s wrists. Lundeen bit Mejia’s hand, leaving teeth marks but not breaking the skin, and attempted to bite Olenick, the men said. Mejia reported they were covered in blood from cuts Lundeen inflicted on himself.
Flight attendants then handed over duct tape. Following Mejia’s advice to avoid restricting airflow, the passengers wrapped the tape around Lundeen’s torso, arms, hands and head while leaving his mouth and nose clear. Photos taken by Olenick, obtained by WJLA (7News Baltimore), show Lundeen secured to the seat. The men held him until the plane landed and officers boarded.
“We weren’t looking to hurt this individual; we were looking more to restrain him and control him, so it didn’t escalate to go any further,” Mejia told ABC News. Olenick said Mejia “got up right away and jumped in the seat right next to the passenger and began working on restraining him in order to keep the situation contained.”
American Airlines said in a statement that Flight 618 diverted to Baltimore “due to a disruptive customer.” Law enforcement met the aircraft, assisted with deplaning Lundeen, and the flight continued to Newark. “The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we do not tolerate violence,” the airline said. “We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding.”
Maryland Transportation Authority Police said Lundeen was charged for incidents that occurred aboard the aircraft at BWI. Officers noted an open wound on his arm that paramedics cleared. According to the Daily Voice and Newsbreak, Lundeen struck an officer in the chest after the restraints were removed. The MDTA’s official statement has not confirmed that detail.
Lundeen worked as an associate broker and vice president member of the executive council at Long Realty in Tucson, where he had been affiliated for years and was part of the Tanque Verde Trio team. Long Realty ended its affiliation Sunday, Sep 6, 2026, a day after the incident, after learning of the charges, according to Tucson.com.
“Long Realty is aware of reports concerning criminal charges filed against a former affiliated real estate agent arising from an incident that allegedly occurred during a commercial flight,” the company said in a statement. “Upon learning of the incident, Long Realty promptly ended its affiliation with the individual. The individual is no longer associated with or authorized to represent Long Realty in any capacity. The conduct described in the reports is wholly inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity, compassion, and respect for others that Long Realty expects from those affiliated with the company.”
Court records list Lundeen as a Tucson resident born Aug. 17, 1959. He waived an attorney at his initial appearance. The FBI and FAA investigations remain ongoing. The episode is the latest in a string of midair incidents that have drawn attention to in-flight passenger behavior, including a separate Frontier Airlines emergency at Denver and a Florida passenger detained over an alleged snack-cart theft. Hypefresh has also tracked related cases in Arizona court and misconduct news separately.
