Man duct-taped on flight after mid-air outburst ‘can’t remember what happened’

| Live News reporter Published September 17, 2026 9:37am Updated September 17, 2026 10:00am Layne Arthur Lundeen was charged with second-degree assault. A passenger who was duct-taped to his seat following a racist and homophobic outburst on a plane has said that he remembers ‘nothing’ about the incident. Layne Arthur Lundeen, 67, was arrested after American Airlines flight 618 was forced to make an emergency landing earlier this month following reports of a disruptive passenger on board. The flight had been travelling from Dallas to Newark on September 3 when it was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Lundeen, an estate agent, was consequently fired from his job after he used the N-word against a member of cabin crew. According to a police report, officers found Lundeen with his upper and lower body restrained to his seat with duct tape, while his hands had been secured with zip ties. He was later charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, according to court records. Sign up for all of the latest stories Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens. Lundeen was restrained in the aisle of the plane (Picture: Fox News) During his initial court appearance in Annapolis the following day, Lundeen said he could not remember what had happened. ‘I don’t remember any of what happened,’ he said, according to audio of the hearing obtained by the Baltimore Banner. At one point, a district court commissioner read out the charges against him, to which Lundeen asked: ‘I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says? I don’t have glasses.’ He admitted drinking ‘two screwdrivers’ before later adding: ‘Oh my God. What a mess… I don’t remember any of it.’ Police allege that Lundeen became increasingly unruly during the flight, shouting profanities and racial slurs before allegedly striking a female passenger in the arm. After officers removed the duct tape and zip ties, he then allegedly struck an officer in the chest. Lundeen has not publicly addressed those allegations beyond saying he does not remember the incident. Lundeen’s attorney, Anatoly Smolkin, has declined to comment. Arrow MORE: British Airways confirms suspended flight route won’t resume for another year Arrow MORE: Plane cabin collapses on passengers during emergency landing Arrow MORE: Doomsday prepper ‘encouraged by ChatGPT’ is cleared of bomb plot Breaking News Never miss the biggest stories with breaking news alerts in your inbox.