American Airlines Flight 618 arrived at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport around 10:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 3, following a reported disturbance involving a passenger. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the diversion in a statement, noting the crew reported the issue before landing. The aircraft had originally departed Dallas Fort Worth International Airport with Newark Liberty International Airport as its destination.
According to reports citing the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the individual involved was secured to his seat using duct tape, while his hands were fastened with zip ties. Law enforcement officers arrested the man after the plane touched down.
USA TODAY contacted the Maryland Transportation Authority Police to verify the passenger's identity and seek further details, but no additional information was provided in the source material.
Juan Mejia, a former law enforcement officer who was aboard the flight, described the events to ABC News and CNN. He stated that the disturbance began approximately three-quarters of the way through the journey.
Mejia reported that a man seated two rows behind him became belligerent, directing derogatory remarks, racial slurs, and vulgar language toward airline staff and other travelers, including women in the row behind him.
Mejia explained that passengers attempted to manage the situation without causing harm. "We weren't looking to hurt this individual; we were looking more to restrain him and control him, so it didn't escalate to go any further," Mejia told ABC News.
