Man Duct-Taped to Airline Seat After Assaulting Passenger

An American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark took a bizarre turn when 67-year-old Arthur Lundeen, of Arizona, allegedly attacked a fellow passenger, according to the Echo24 website, which cited the New York Post and the Telegraph.

Witnesses said Lundeen struck the man sitting next to him, began choking him, and damaged his laptop. When other passengers and the flight crew intervened, Lundeen allegedly began using racist and vulgar slurs.

Several men eventually overpowered him and used duct tape to bind him to his seat, preventing him from continuing the attack.

The pilots then diverted the plane to Baltimore/Washington Airport, where police were already waiting. Lundeen was arrested after landing and faces charges of disorderly conduct and second-degree assault, according to available information.

The case is being investigated by the US Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI, which is determining whether federal charges will also be filed.

(mja)