The unruly passenger who was duct-taped to his seat on an American Airlines flight said in court that he did not remember anything that happened.
Layne Lundeen, 67, appeared for his initial hearing in Annapolis on September 4, a day after American Airlines Flight 618 was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). He was released on his own recognizance after a later bail review, and his next court appearance is scheduled for October 19.
The Arizona man who was duct-taped to his seat and restrained with zip ties during an American Airlines flight told a Maryland court that he did not remember what happened during the mid-air disturbance that forced the plane to divert to Baltimore. Lundeen became disruptive during the flight, which was travelling from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark, New Jersey, according to police allegations. Lundeen’s behaviour became increasingly unruly during the flight, according to police accounts cited by The Baltimore Banner.
Lundeen faced charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct in connection with the incident. The aircraft was then diverted to BWI, where Maryland Transportation Authority Police took Lundeen into custody. Witnesses alleged that he directed racial slurs at people on board and became physically aggressive. At his court appearance, Lundeen’s account differed sharply from what witnesses described.