Passengers tape chaotic man on US flight

Passengers restrained a 67-year-old man with duct tape and plastic zip ties after he allegedly caused a disturbance and behaved violently towards fellow passengers on an American Airlines flight from Dallas, Texas, to Newark, New Jersey.

The incident took place on Thursday night, around two hours after the flight took off from Dallas, according to Maryland Transportation Authority police and the airline.

The passenger, identified as Arthur Landin, allegedly began shouting obscenities and became increasingly aggressive during the flight. He reportedly attacked a fellow passenger, prompting others to intervene and restrain him.

Former police officer Juan Mejias and another passenger eventually managed to control Landin. They used plastic zip ties to restrain his hands and duct tape to secure him to his seat.

The flight was subsequently diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Maryland, where police boarded the aircraft and took Landin into custody.

Mejias said the situation quickly turned from a peaceful flight into chaos. He said he looked towards the back of the aircraft and saw one passenger holding another by the neck.

After intervening, Mejias said the man continued shouting offensive remarks at women and other passengers.

American Airlines said the safety of its passengers and crew remains its top priority and that it has zero tolerance for violent behaviour on board its aircraft.

The airline also thanked its crew and passengers for showing courage and professionalism in helping bring the situation under control.