A passenger began behaving in a highly erratic manner mid-flight on a US-bound plane. Consequently, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing after the passenger was taped to his seat. The incident occurred on Thursday night aboard an American Airlines flight traveling from Dallas to New Jersey. The aircraft subsequently made an emergency landing at Baltimore-Washington International Airport in Maryland, where the passenger was handed over to the police. CNN reported the story.
Reports indicate that a passenger seated in first class on American Airlines Flight 618 suddenly became agitated and began shouting profanities. In addition to making racist and homophobic remarks, he assaulted a fellow passenger and a woman who attempted to intervene. As the situation spiraled out of control, several passengers—including a retired police officer named Juan Mejia—restrained him by taping him to his seat and using zip ties. The passenger bit Mejia while attempting to resist.
However, no tape was placed over his mouth, ensuring his breathing remained unobstructed. With the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks approaching, such violent behavior in mid-air sparked intense panic among the passengers. According to the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there have been over 1,160 incidents of unruly passenger behavior on flights so far this year. Such offenses carry potential fines exceeding $43,000.
