In the US, passengers duct-taped a man on an American Airlines flight
On an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark in the United States, passengers helped secure a man to a first-class seat with duct tape after he allegedly attacked other travelers, according to a passenger. The aircraft made an unscheduled landing at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where police detained the man.
As AeroTime reports, the incident occurred on September 3 on Flight 618, operated by a Boeing 737-800 from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty Airport.
Altercation in the cabin
One passenger told CNN that the man was seated two rows behind him in first class, behaved aggressively and shouted racist and homophobic slurs. According to him, a flight attendant initially tried to resolve the situation, but the passenger became increasingly aggressive.
The passenger claims that the man struck the person seated next to him and later hit a woman who tried to intervene. A former police officer from New Jersey, who was also on board, stepped in to help restrain him. Other passengers also joined the altercation.
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Detention after landing
A flight attendant handed passengers a flexible restraint, which they used to secure the man's wrists. According to available testimony, he bit the former police officer and tried to bite another passenger. The man was then duct-taped to his seat, without taping his mouth shut so as not to obstruct his breathing.
Passengers noted that the restraints limited the man's movements, but he continued to resist. During the descent to Baltimore, one passenger sat on his lap for about 15 minutes to hold him down.
The US Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft landed safely in Baltimore at about 10:15 p.m. local time after the crew reported a disturbance on board. Maryland Transportation Authority Police detained the man. According to the FBI, he was charged under state law; the detainee's name and the specific charges were not officially disclosed.
The FBI is conducting interviews and will consult with the US Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland regarding the possible filing of federal charges. American Airlines confirmed that law enforcement met the aircraft and removed the passenger, after which the flight continued to Newark. The airline said the safety of passengers and employees is a priority and that it does not tolerate violence.
