American Airlines Flight 618, bound for Newark from Dallas‑Fort Worth, was forced to divert to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Thursday night after a passenger became violently belligerent in the first‑class cabin.
Passengers intervene to protect fellow travelers
Richard Olenick and retired New Jersey police officer Juan Mejia were seated a few rows behind the troublemaker when the man began shouting profanity, using racial and homophobic slurs, and physically striking the passenger next to him and a woman who tried to intervene.
When the flight attendant’s attempts to calm the situation failed, the two men stepped in. A flight attendant supplied a zip tie, which they used to restrain the man’s wrists. The passenger then bit Mejia and attempted to bite Olenick, prompting the trio to apply duct tape—provided by the crew—to further limit his movement while ensuring his mouth remained clear for breathing.
Emergency landing and arrest
After the restraint, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Maryland. Maryland Transportation Authority Police met the plane and arrested the individual on state charges, according to an FBI statement. The flight continued to Newark after the passenger was removed.
Safety measures and broader context
American Airlines reiterated that the safety and security of customers and crew members is its top priority and that violence will not be tolerated. Duct tape and flexible handcuffs are standard equipment on many commercial aircraft for handling unruly passengers.
The Federal Aviation Administration reports more than 1,160 passenger‑disruption incidents this year, and it can levy fines exceeding $43,000 for assaults or threats against airline crew.
Olenick noted the timing felt especially unsettling given the upcoming 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, adding that the incident underscored the importance of vigilance and cooperation among passengers when safety is at stake.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
