A passenger aboard American Airlines Flight 618 was restrained with duct tape and plastic zip ties by fellow travelers and crew members after an outburst in which he allegedly hurled racist and homophobic slurs and attacked other passengers, forcing the flight to divert on Thursday night.
The incident took place on the flight from Dallas to Newark. At around 10:15 p.m., the man allegedly began verbally attacking the passenger seated next to him, prompting a flight attendant and other travelers to intervene.
According to TMZ, when a Black flight attendant tried to bring the situation under control, the passenger turned on him too, using racist and homophobic language.
Video filmed inside the cabin shows the man strapped into his seat, with his hands, torso and head immobilized.
The situation had already turned violent before he was restrained. The man allegedly punched the passenger next to him and destroyed his laptop. When a woman tried to help, he allegedly shoved her away.
Three more male passengers then stepped in, and together with the crew they managed to restrain him using duct tape and plastic zip ties.
Flight diverted to Baltimore
American Airlines said in a statement that the flight was diverted to Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport due to a disruptive passenger. After landing, police officers boarded the aircraft and removed the man before the flight continued to its final destination.
American Airlines is one of the largest carriers in the world, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, and operates thousands of flights daily across the United States. Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport serves the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area and is one of three major airports serving the US capital region.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident, noting that more than 1,160 unruly passenger incidents have been recorded in 2026 so far. The FAA is the US agency responsible for regulating civil aviation and air safety.
FBI reviewing federal charges
An FBI spokesperson said the man was arrested by the relevant Maryland police authority and faces state-level charges.
Federal authorities are also considering whether to bring federal charges against him. The FBI said it was currently conducting interviews to gather evidence and would consult with the US Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland to determine whether federal charges should be filed.
