A passenger accused of unleashing racist and homophobic abuse aboard an American Airlines flight has been identified as a 67-year-old Arizona real estate executive.

Arthur Layne Lundeen of Tucson was arrested after the disturbance forced American Airlines Flight 618—traveling from Dallas to Newark—to make an unscheduled landing in Baltimore on Thursday night.

Witnesses alleged that Lundeen became increasingly belligerent near the end of the flight, directing derogatory comments and vulgar language at airline employees and other passengers.

The confrontation escalated until two travelers intervened and restrained him. Dramatic footage later showed Lundeen bound to his seat with duct tape and zip ties around his hands, torso and head.

When the aircraft landed in Baltimore, police boarded the plane and removed him.

The FBI confirmed that Maryland Transportation Police arrested Lundeen. Court records show that he was charged at the state level with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

The allegations have not yet been decided in court.

Passengers Hear Disturbance Behind Them

Juan Mejia, a former law-enforcement officer traveling on the flight, told ABC News that he and his friend Richard O’Lenick heard the disruption beginning two rows behind them.

Mejia said the passenger had become “belligerent” and was making offensive remarks to American Airlines staff and other travelers.

He described hearing racial slurs, vulgar language and comments that were particularly offensive to women seated nearby.

As the situation intensified, Mejia left his seat and moved beside Lundeen.

O’Lenick said his friend acted immediately, jumping into the seat next to the passenger and beginning the effort to restrain him before the confrontation could become even more dangerous.

Footage from inside the cabin showed Lundeen immobilized in his seat as the flight continued toward its unexpected stop in Baltimore.

The video did not capture every moment leading up to the restraint, and authorities were continuing to interview witnesses to establish the full sequence of events.

Flight Diverted to Baltimore

American Airlines described Lundeen as a “disruptive customer” in a statement addressing the incident.

The airline said the disturbance prompted the crew to divert Flight 618 to Baltimore rather than continue directly to Newark.

“Law enforcement met the aircraft and assisted with deplaning the customer before the flight continued to its destination,” the company said.

A diversion can disrupt travel for an entire aircraft, forcing passengers and crew to remain onboard longer while pilots coordinate with air-traffic controllers and authorities prepare to meet the flight.

In this case, the decision allowed law enforcement to remove Lundeen before the other passengers continued to New Jersey.

The airline did not disclose whether any crew members or travelers required medical treatment.

Passenger Linked to Tucson Real Estate Company

Lundeen’s LinkedIn profile reportedly identified him as a vice president at Long Realty in Tucson.

The profile was later removed from the professional networking platform. It was not immediately clear whether Lundeen remained employed by the company following his arrest.

The supplied report did not include a public statement from Long Realty or an attorney representing Lundeen.

His identification transformed the viral cabin footage from an anonymous episode of air travel chaos into a professional crisis for a named Arizona businessman.

However, an arrest and criminal charge do not constitute a conviction. Lundeen is entitled to respond to the allegations through the legal process.

Federal Charges Still Possible

Although Lundeen currently faces state-level charges, federal authorities are also examining the case.

The FBI said agents were conducting interviews to gather the facts surrounding the disturbance.

Once that process is complete, the bureau plans to consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to determine whether federal charges should be filed.

Interference with airline crew members and certain violent conduct aboard commercial aircraft can potentially fall under federal jurisdiction, but authorities had not announced any federal charges at the time of the report.

Investigators will likely consider witness testimony, video from the cabin, statements from the flight crew and the specific conduct alleged before and during the restraint.

Travelers Forced to Take Action

The episode also highlights the difficult choices passengers face when a confrontation erupts thousands of feet above the ground.

Unlike an incident on the ground, there is no immediate way to summon police into an aircraft. Crew members must manage the danger while pilots decide whether the flight can continue safely.

Mejia and O’Lenick believed the situation required immediate action.

Their intervention helped keep Lundeen restrained until the plane reached Baltimore, where trained officers could take control.

What began as a routine flight from Texas to New Jersey ended with a diversion, an arrest and viral footage of a real estate executive bound tightly to his seat.

Lundeen now faces assault and disorderly-conduct charges—and the possibility that federal prosecutors may add another legal battle after reviewing what happened in the air.