Skip to main content
See every side of every news story
Published loading...Updated

Passengers Who Helped Restrain Disruptive Man on American Airlines Flight Describe Chaos

  • On Thursday, American Airlines flight 618 from Dallas to Newark diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport after a passenger became disruptive and was duct-taped to his seat by crew and fellow travelers.
  • Chaos erupted roughly two hours into the flight when the passenger shouted racial and anti-gay slurs, assaulting nearby travelers. Witness Juan Mejia said, "Just like a light switch, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos."
  • Retired law enforcement officer Juan Mejia and Richard Olenick intervened, restraining the man while flight attendants applied zip ties and duct tape. Photos show the passenger secured across his upper body and arms.
  • Upon arrival at BWI, law enforcement and FBI agents boarded to take the passenger into custody. Witness Michelle Ng Reyes reported police physically removed him after he initially refused to deplane.
  • Travel expert Peter Greenberg noted such restraints are standard protocol when passengers become unruly, enabling crews to maintain safety. American Airlines stated that customer and employee safety is their "top priority" and they "do not tolerate violence.
Insights by Ground AI
Podcasts & Opinions

78 Articles

Lean Left

He drove with racist and homophobic insults against a flight attendant, until he went into excandescence and hit and push other passengers. For this reason, a 67-year-old man, originally from Arizona, was immobilized with adhesive tape and wristbands on board an American Airlines plane bound for Newark. The aircraft, which started [...] The article "He held his hands around the neck to the man next to him, bit me and insulted me with racist tone…

·Rome, Italy
Read Full Article
Lean Right

A passenger is said to have racially offended a black flight attendant on a U.S. flight, and then passengers tied him to his seat.

·Berlin, Germany
Read Full Article
Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/yearSubscribe

Bias Distribution

  • 52% of the sources are Center
52% Center

Factuality Info Icon

To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium

Ownership

Info Icon

To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage

Fox5 DC broke the news in Washington, United States on Friday, September 4, 2026.
Too Big Arrow Icon
Sources are mostly out of (0)

Similar News Topics

News
Feed Dots Icon
For You
Search Icon
Search
Blindspot LogoBlindspotLocal