Three days after an American Airlines in-flight meltdown involving an unruly passenger being duct-taped surfaced online, he has now faced the music.
The incident occurred on an American Airlines flight 618 that diverted its route after a midflight meltdown on September 3.
Arthur Layne Lundeen, 67, was onboard the American Airlines flight AA 618, caused a ruckus, was strapped to his seat with duct-tape, and his hands were buckled with zip ties by fellow passengers.
Lundeen, who was employed at the Long Reality brokerage firm, has been terminated from his job, the company announced in a social media post on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
Flight 618 was en route to Newark and took off from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Lundeen, 67, an Arizona native, was arrested by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police after the flight made an emergency landing at the Dallas airport.
Lundeen, midflight, started yelling and called a Black flight attendant with offensive words, per TMZ.
He then went on to strike a passenger beside him and smashed that person’s laptop.
After the incident the two men came and zip-tied using duct tape provided by flight attendants.
After the arrest by the Maryland police, the flight carried on to Newark, per American Airlines.
He was detained on suspicion of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.
Lundeen was released without having to post bail on his promise to appear in court.
His trial is scheduled for October 19, 2026.
2026-09-07 12:22:00
