An American Airlines flight was diverted to Baltimore late Thursday night after a passenger allegedly made a midair outburst, forcing the crew to restrain him to his seat with duct tape and zip ties.
The flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark, New Jersey, had to make an unexpected stop at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport due to the unidentified passenger who witnesses said was putting others at risk. According to eyewitnesses, the man began yelling at a male passenger next to him about two hours into the flight, and then turned violent, hitting the passenger and pushing a female passenger who tried to intervene.
The man allegedly made racial and homophobic slurs during the outburst, prompting flight attendants to seek the help of passengers to restrain him. Video footage shows crew and passengers strapping the man to his seat, with even his head held to the seat. Witnesses described the situation as chaotic, with one passenger saying it was like "a light switch" that went from quiet to yelling and chaos.
American Airlines confirmed the plane was diverted due to a "disruptive customer" and said that law enforcement met the aircraft upon arrival and assisted with deplaning the passenger. The airline stated that the safety and security of its customers and team members is its top priority and that it does not tolerate violence. The Maryland Transportation Police arrested and booked the man on state charges, and the FBI is conducting interviews to gather the facts and determine if federal charges will be filed.
The flight continued to its destination after the passenger was removed, and American Airlines praised its crew and passengers for their professionalism and understanding in the situation.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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