The man accused of an erratic outburst aboard a flight headed to Newark Airport has been fired from his job after photos surfaced showing the unusual way he was restrained.
Arthur Lundeen, of Arizona, reportedly became disruptive on American Airlines Flight 618, which had boarded in Dallas, and multiple passengers stepped in to duct tape him to his seat. Lundeen was taken into custody by authorities in Maryland following the unscheduled landing.
He had been working as a real estate agent with Long Realty in Tucson but has since been dismissed by the company, according to NBC affiliate KVOA.
“Upon learning of the incident, Long Realty promptly ended its affiliation with the individual,” the firm said, in part, in a lengthy statement posted on Facebook. “The individual is no longer associated with or authorized to represent Long Realty in any capacity.”
The 67-year-old now faces disorderly conduct and assault charges. Contact information for his attorney was not immediately available.
Two men who work in Woodland Park, New Jersey, watched the midair episode unfold and moved quickly to assist the flight attendants.
Richard O’Lenick and Juan Mejia, a former police officer, said Lundeen was yelling racial and homophobic slurs before he became physical.
“The flight attendants tried to de-escalate him. They were just getting spit venom from him, derogatory remarks, racial comments,” Mejia said. “So I said to him, if he escalates from there, I’m going to have to get involved.”
The pair said flight attendants first pulled out zip ties before turning to duct tape. Mejia said he grabbed the tape and went to work.
“I didn’t cover his eyes, I didn’t cover his airways , his nose, his mouth , that was the most important thing. We’re not looking to hurt the gentleman but we’re looking that he doesn’t hurt himself any further, or us or anyone else,” O’Lenick explained.
“I’m glad that we were able to do what we did,” O’Lenick added.
The airline issued a statement saying, “The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority.”
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