A passenger on an American Airlines flight was restrained with duct tape and flexible handcuffs after he allegedly became violent towards other people on board, prompting the aircraft to make an emergency landing.
The incident took place on American Airlines Flight 618, which was travelling from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey on Sep. 3, 2026.
According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, the crew reported a disturbance involving a passenger during the flight.
The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland, where police were waiting to meet the plane.
Passenger reportedly became violent
The disruptive passenger was reportedly seated in the first-class section when his behaviour became increasingly aggressive more than halfway through the journey.
An eyewitness told CNN that a flight attendant initially attempted to manage the situation.
However, the man allegedly became more agitated and began striking people around him.
He reportedly hit the passenger seated next to him before also striking a woman who attempted to step in.
The passenger was also accused of directing racial and homophobic slurs at people during the confrontation.
As several passengers attempted to restrain him, the situation reportedly became more physical.
The man allegedly tried to fight them off and even attempted to bite those trying to subdue him.
Passengers eventually used duct tape to secure him to his seat.
Photos and videos shared online showed the man with his upper body restrained against the aircraft seat. His wrists were also secured using a flexible restraint.
Duct tape used without covering his mouth
Those involved in restraining the passenger reportedly took care not to place duct tape over his mouth.
This was done to avoid interfering with his ability to breathe while he remained restrained.
The unusual incident was captured in photographs and videos that were subsequently shared on social media.
One passenger who helped restrain the man said the timing of the incident added to the anxiety among those on board.
The confrontation happened just days before the 25th anniversary of the Sep. 11 terrorist attacks, which occurred in the United States in 2001.
With the anniversary approaching, passengers were reportedly already conscious of the potential security implications of a serious disturbance taking place on a commercial aircraft.
Police arrested one man after landing
The aircraft landed safely in Baltimore, where officers from the Maryland Transportation Authority Police met the flight.
The FBI subsequently confirmed that one man had been arrested in connection with the incident.
Authorities did not publicly identify the passenger.
After he was removed from the aircraft, the flight was able to continue its journey to Newark.
The use of restraints such as duct tape and flexible handcuffs is not entirely unprecedented on commercial aircraft.
According to CNN, airlines carry such equipment for situations where crew members or passengers may need to restrain someone who poses a threat to others on board.
The incident nonetheless attracted considerable attention online because of the photographs showing the passenger secured to his seat during the flight.