A disruptive passenger was duct-taped to a seat as the flight made an emergency landing in Baltimore.
American Airlines Flight 618 was travelling from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Newark when the crew reported that the passenger disturbance.
Following the report, a flight attendant tried to control the situation but the man got increasingly agitated and started hitting the passenger next to him and then hit a woman who tried to intervene.
The man also used "racial and homophobic slurs" when a Black flight attendant requested that he lower his voice.
He was restrained with a ziptie by passengers and was then duct taped to a seat after he tried to fight of the crew and passengers who were trying to restrain him.
The Maryland Transportation Authority Police met the plane after it safely landed at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and arrested one man on state charges, an FBI statement said.
Officials did not name the man.
After the passenger was removed, the flight continued on its way to Newark.
American Airlines breaks silence after unruly aircraft passenger
"On Sept. 3, American Airlines flight 618 diverted to Baltimore(BWI) due to a disruptive customer," the airline said in a statement. "Upon arrival, law enforcement met the aircraft and assisted with deplaning the customer before the flight continued to its destination. The safety and security of our customers and team members are our top priority. We do not tolerate violence. We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding."
According to TMZ, the FBI is gathering facts and consulting with the US Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland to determine if federal charges will be filed.
Why was the passenger restrained using duct tape?
Duct tape and flexible handcuffs are found on many commercial planes for use in restraining violent or disruptive passengers.
In 2024, a passenger who tried to force open a door and injured a flight attendant while flying from Milwaukee to Dallas was duct-taped to his seat.
There have been more than 1,160 unruly passenger incidents reported so far this year, according to the FAA.
Besides criminal penalties, the agency can pursue fines of more than $43,000 against any passenger who "assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crew members".
