An American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark was forced to divert Thursday night after a passenger allegedly launched into a violent, slur-filled outburst that ended with fellow travelers duct-taping him to his seat.
According to TMZ, the man, who appeared intoxicated, began yelling at the passenger seated next to him about Jesus and going to hell as the flight was in the air. When a Black flight attendant approached to defuse the situation, witnesses say the man directed a racial slur at her and hurled anti-gay remarks as well.
The confrontation escalated quickly. Sources say the man struck the passenger beside him and damaged his laptop, then pushed a female passenger who'd stepped in to help. That prompted three other male passengers to intervene, using duct tape and zip ties handed over by flight attendants to physically restrain him to his seat as he continued struggling.
Photos obtained by TMZ show the man wrapped extensively in duct tape, including around his head and hands, while being held down in his seat.
The FAA confirmed the flight was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, landing roughly 15 minutes after the incident began. Law enforcement met the plane at the gate and took the man into custody.
Maryland Transportation Police have booked him on state charges. An FBI spokesperson told TMZ the bureau is gathering facts and consulting with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland to determine whether federal charges will also be pursued.
Duct tape has become a makeshift restraining tool of choice for many flight attendants facing violent passengers. It reached the extent that in 2021, United Airlines actually advised crews not to use this technique.