American Flight Diverted After Passenger Assaults Others

American Airlines Flight 618 from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark was diverted to Baltimore on Sept. 3 after a 67-year-old Arizona passenger allegedly used racial and homophobic slurs and assaulted fellow passengers and a flight attendant. Passengers and crew restrained him with zip ties and duct tape, leaving his mouth clear, and held him until law enforcement boarded after landing. Authorities identified him in multiple reports as Arthur Lundeen, although one local report gave a different first name; he was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault. The flight continued to Newark, while the FBI and FAA investigate and federal prosecutors consider whether additional charges are warranted.