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Passenger restrained after American Airlines diverts to Baltimore
A Dallas-to-Newark flight made an unscheduled Baltimore stop after passengers and crew restrained a man, who was then arrested.
What happened
An American Airlines flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark diverted to Baltimore on Thursday after a passenger was restrained by crew and other passengers. Maryland Transportation Authority Police arrested him after landing. Witnesses alleged he attacked his seatmate and used racial and homophobic slurs. The flight then continued to Newark.
Numbers
- Flight AA 618Dallas-to-Newark service that diverted
- 2 hoursBefore witnesses saw escalation
- 10:15 p.m.FAA-recorded Baltimore arrival time
Questions
- What did the airline confirm?
- American Airlines confirmed the diversion was caused by a disruptive customer; law enforcement met the aircraft in Baltimore.
- Why did other passengers intervene?
- Witnesses said they intervened after the man put his hands around his seatmate’s neck and became physically aggressive during the disturbance.
- How was he restrained onboard?
- A flight attendant supplied zip ties, while passengers and crew used them with duct tape to secure him.
- Which agencies are examining it?
- The FBI and FAA were investigating after the arrest; police did not provide details of the disruption in their account.
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The catch
Authorities have not publicly described the full onboard sequence or confirmed whether anyone was injured.