Passenger duct-taped to plane seat after becoming violent mid-flight

Flight attendants and fellow passengers used duct tape and zip ties to restrain a disruptive man during an American Airlines flight, forcing the plane to make an emergency diversion.

The Newark-bound flight from Dallas Fort Worth made an emergency landing at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Sept. 3 after an unidentified passenger launched into a violent outburst about two hours into the trip.

Witnesses and video footage reveal that the disturbance erupted suddenly when the man began shouting about religion. TMZ said that the man was "screaming about Jesus and going to hell, prompting a flight attendant to walk over and attempt to calm the situation."

Passengers Richard Olenick and Juan Mejia told CNN that the man suddenly became "abusive and started using profanity" and that he also used “racial and homophobic slurs" at a flight attendant and nearby passengers, and physically assaulting the man sitting next to him. 

He also shoved a female passenger who tried to intervene, leading three male passengers to step in.

The flight crew supplied duct tape and zip ties to the men, who worked together to restrain the struggling passenger—securing his body and head to the seat to prevent further attacks.

“We don’t know exactly what happened, what triggered it,” Olenick told CNN. “But whatever it was, it was pretty intense.”

Maryland Transportation Police met the aircraft upon landing in Baltimore and took the suspect into custody. The FBI is currently interviewing witnesses and coordinating with the U.S. Attorney's Office to evaluate federal charges alongside existing state offenses.

American Airlines confirmed the incident, stating it maintains zero tolerance for violence and prioritizes safety above all else. 

"The safety ​and ​security ​of our customers ​and team members ​is our top ​priority and ​we ​do not ​tolerate violence. We thank our ​team members for ​their ​professionalism ​and ​our customers ​for ​their ​understanding," the statement said.

The flight subsequently resumed its journey to Newark after the suspect was removed.