Unruly Passenger Duct-Taped to Seat After Midair Meltdown

An American Airlines passenger was arrested after a chaotic midair disturbance allegedly became so serious that fellow travelers helped restrain him with duct tape and zip ties as the plane made an emergency diversion.

Arthur Lundeen, 67, of Arizona, was taken into custody Thursday night after American Airlines Flight 618, traveling from Dallas to Newark, was diverted to Baltimore Washington International Airport.

According to Maryland Transportation Authority Police, Lundeen was restrained in his seat with duct tape while his hands were secured with zip ties before officers boarded the aircraft.

Passengers said the trouble erupted roughly three-quarters of the way through the flight.

Juan Mejia, a former law enforcement officer who was traveling on the plane, told ABC News that Lundeen allegedly became increasingly belligerent and began directing offensive comments toward crew members and other passengers.

Mejia claimed the man was making derogatory remarks, using racial slurs and vulgar language, and saying offensive things to women seated nearby.

The situation allegedly escalated further when Lundeen became physical.

That was when Mejia and his friend Richard Olenick decided to intervene.

Olenick said Mejia quickly moved into the seat beside Lundeen and began helping restrain him in an effort to keep the disturbance from spiraling further out of control.

“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.

Authorities have not publicly released a full account of what allegedly happened during the flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft was diverted to BWI around 10:15 p.m. because of the disturbance.

Mejia and Olenick said they remained with Lundeen until law enforcement officers boarded the plane after landing and took him into custody.

Lundeen was removed from the aircraft, and the flight later continued on to Newark, American Airlines said.

Maryland Transportation Authority Police charged Lundeen with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault for alleged incidents that occurred aboard the aircraft at BWI Airport.

The FBI is separately investigating what allegedly occurred while the plane was still in the air.

Police said Lundeen was evaluated by paramedics after officers noticed an open wound on his arm while taking him into custody.

American Airlines condemned the alleged behavior following the incident.

“The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we do not tolerate violence,” the airline said in a statement.

The FBI said the investigation remains ongoing.