Passenger Duct-Taped to Seat After Slur-Filled Outburst
Passenger Duct-Taped to Seat After Slur-Filled Outburst
The News
An American Airlines passenger was duct-taped to his seat by crew members and fellow travelers Thursday night after allegedly screaming racial and anti-gay slurs and turning violent, forcing the Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark flight to divert to Baltimore.
The airline confirmed the unscheduled stop on Friday. Maryland Transportation Police have booked the man on state charges, and the FBI said he is in custody while agents investigate.
Authorities have not identified the suspect.
Timeline
Mid-flight, the man, who witnesses said appeared intoxicated, began yelling at the passenger seated next to him about Jesus and going to hell, according to TMZ, which first reported the incident.
A black flight attendant approached to defuse the situation and the man directed a racial slur at her and made anti-gay remarks, witnesses told TMZ.
Sources told TMZ the man struck the passenger beside him and damaged his laptop, then shoved a female passenger who stepped in to help. Three other male passengers intervened and restrained him with duct tape and zip ties handed over by flight attendants as he kept struggling.
The FAA confirmed the flight diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, landing roughly 15 minutes after the incident started, Raw Story reported. Law enforcement met the plane at the gate and took the man off.
The flight continued on to Newark.
American Airlines confirmed the diversion, and the FBI told CBS News the man is in custody on state charges.
Reactions
"The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we do not tolerate violence," American Airlines said in a statement. "We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding."
The FBI said in a statement to CBS News that it "is currently conducting interviews to gather the facts and will consult with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland to determine if federal charges will be filed."
A photo obtained by TMZ shows the man in a first-class seat with multiple loops of tape around his wrists, torso and head. Video obtained by the outlet shows crew members and passengers working together to restrain him.
What's Next
The man faces state charges filed by Maryland Transportation Police. The FBI is interviewing witnesses and will consult with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland on whether to add federal charges.
Authorities have not released his name, and no court date has been announced.
More
Why the duct tape
Duct tape has become a makeshift restraint of choice for flight crews dealing with violent passengers. The practice drew enough attention that in 2021 United Airlines told its crews not to use it, Raw Story noted.
Poll
Was taping the passenger to his seat the right call?
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