An American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark diverted to Baltimore on Sept. 3 after a passenger assaulted a seatmate and physically resisted crew and bystanders attempting to subdue him.
Flight 618 was approximately two hours out of Dallas when the passenger became violent, according to two witnesses seated two rows ahead of him. The passenger placed his hands around a fellow traveler’s throat and directed racial slurs at a flight attendant, according to the witnesses.
Retired law enforcement officer Juan Mejia and fellow passenger Richard Olenick intervened. A flight attendant supplied duct tape and zip ties, which the men used to restrain the passenger. During the struggle, the passenger bit Mejia’s hand and was bleeding from self-inflicted cuts. The restraint held for roughly 15 minutes until the aircraft landed at BWI.
American’s statement confirmed the diversion and said law enforcement met the aircraft on arrival. Maryland Transportation Authority Police arrested the passenger on state charges, and the FBI is involved. The flight subsequently continued to Newark.
Flight attendants were credited by both witnesses for staying composed throughout the incident despite the verbal abuse directed at them.
The use of duct tape and zip ties for in-flight restraint is established protocol, not improvisation. When a passenger poses a physical threat and cannot be kept seated, crew are trained to restrain and hold until landing.
FAA data puts unruly passenger reports at more than 1,160 so far this year. Last year’s full-year total was approximately 1,600, meaning 2026 is tracking ahead of that pace with months remaining.
