Passenger duct-taped on American Airlines flight after assault and racial slurs, plane diverted to Baltimore
A man who allegedly used racial slurs and assaulted another passenger was restrained with duct tape on an American Airlines flight bound for Newark, prompting a diversion to Baltimore where he was taken into custody.
A passenger on an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark was restrained with duct tape after crew and other travelers attempted to subdue him for alleged assault and the use of racial slurs. Witness Michelle Ng-Reyes said the man was "thrashing around" in his seat and appeared to target a fellow passenger and Black flight attendants with offensive remarks. She added that three individuals, including an air marshal, tried to keep him seated, urging him to stop moving and yelling.
The aircraft was diverted to Baltimore, where the passenger was removed and arrested by Maryland Transportation Authority Police. The FBI’s Baltimore field office said it is conducting interviews and will consult the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine whether federal charges will be filed. The flight’s arrival in Newark was delayed from the scheduled three-and-a-half hours to roughly eight hours due to the diversion.
American Airlines said safety and security are its top priorities and that the airline does not tolerate violence, thanking crew members for their professionalism and passengers for their understanding.