Layne Lundeen, 67, from Arizona, appeared in a Maryland court on September 4 for an initial hearing after being charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct following a racially charged outburst during an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark that was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Airport. During the flight, passengers reported that Lundeen became aggressive, used racial slurs, and had to be restrained using duct tape and zip ties by fellow passengers and crew members until the plane landed safely in Maryland. Despite the police allegations provided by witnesses, Lundeen claims he has no memory of the incident and was confused about how he ended up in custody in Maryland.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
On September 3, Layne Lundeen, a 67-year-old Arizona realtor, was duct-taped to his seat and restrained with zip ties during an American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark, New Jersey. Passengers restrained him after he allegedly became disruptive and verbally abusive, shouting racial slurs at the crew and choking a passenger seated next to him, Jonathan Cahn, who is a Messianic rabbi and author. The plane was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) where Lundeen was arrested for second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.
The following day, in Annapolis, Maryland, Lundeen appeared in court but claimed he had no recollection of the incident, stating, "I don’t remember any of what happened." He also questioned his charges when told by Judge George Haag that he allegedly assaulted a police officer. After reviewing the accusations with his glasses on, Lundeen remarked, “Oh my God. What a mess. I don’t remember any of it.” His next court appearance is scheduled for October 19.
Lundeen's job was terminated after the incident went viral, and despite initial reports suggesting racial slurs were made, there are conflicting claims about what exactly transpired on the flight, with some passengers unsure if a racial slur or homophobic comments were heard.
Written for “Duct-Taped Plane Passenger Speaks” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
The Arizona man who was duct-taped to his seat and restrained with zip ties during an American Airlines flight told a Maryland court that he did not remember what happened during the mid-air disturbance that forced the plane to divert to Baltimore.
asserted
that → tap → Baltimore
Layne Lundeen, 67, appeared for his initial hearing in Annapolis on September 4, a day after American Airlines Flight 618 was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
asserted
Flight → appear → Airport
Lundeen faced charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident.
asserted
Lundeen → face → incident
He was released on his own recognizance after a later bail review, and his next court appearance is scheduled for October 19.
asserted
appearance → release → October
During his initial appearance, Lundeen said he remembered talking to the passenger sitting beside him but could not recall what happened afterward.
uncertain
what → say → him
Cahn has said that a conversation between the two initially appeared friendly before Lundeen allegedly became increasingly agitated.
uncertain
Lundeen → say → two
According to police allegations, Lundeen became disruptive during the flight, which was travelling from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark, New Jersey.
uncertain
which → accord → Newark
Witnesses told investigators that he allegedly used profanities and racial slurs and became physically aggressive.
uncertain
he → tell → profanities
Passengers and crew eventually restrained Lundeen using duct tape and zip ties, securing him to his seat for the remainder of the flight.
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Passengers → restrain → flight
The aircraft was then diverted to BWI, where Maryland Transportation Authority Police took Lundeen into custody.
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Police → divert → custody
What happened on the plane?
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What → happen → plane
The incident unfolded on September 3 aboard American Airlines Flight 618.
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incident → unfold → Flight
According to police accounts cited by The Baltimore Banner, Lundeen's behaviour became increasingly unruly during the flight.
uncertain
behaviour → accord → flight
Witnesses alleged that he directed racial slurs at people on board and became physically aggressive.
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he → allege → board
Former law enforcement officer Juan Mejia, who was among the passengers who intervened, told ABC News that he heard the disturbance and became involved as the situation escalated.
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situation → intervene → disturbance
Another passenger, Richard Olenick, also helped restrain Lundeen.
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passenger → help → Lundeen
The two men, together with flight attendants, eventually secured Lundeen with restraints until the plane landed in Baltimore.
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plane → secure → Baltimore
American Airlines confirmed that restraints are carried on its aircraft and can be used when necessary to maintain the safety and security of passengers and crew.
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restraints → confirm → passengers
Lundeen says he has no memory of the episode
At his court appearance, Lundeen's account differed sharply from what witnesses described.
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witnesses → say → what
He said he remembered speaking with Cahn but did not recall the alleged confrontation that followed.
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that → say → confrontation
He also appeared confused about how he had ended up in Maryland rather than New Jersey.
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he → appear → Maryland
The court proceedings did not establish why Lundeen said he could not remember the incident.
uncertain
he → establish → incident
The allegations remain the subject of the criminal case, and Lundeen has not been convicted of the charges.
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Lundeen → remain → charges
The FBI is also gathering information about the incident.
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FBI → gather → incident
Flight continued after emergency landing
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Flight → continue → landing
After Lundeen was removed from the aircraft, Flight 618 continued to Newark.
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Flight → remove → Newark
The incident has since drawn widespread attention after photographs showing Lundeen restrained with duct tape went viral online.
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Lundeen → draw → tape
Lundeen, who lives in Tucson, Arizona, has been identified as a former real-estate professional.
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who → live → professional
His employment with Long Realty ended following the incident.
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employment → end → incident
The Aporia
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