American Airlines passenger restrained with duct tape after outburst, flight diverts to BWI

An American Airlines flight bound for Newark diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport on Thursday night after a passenger became violent, according to initial reports. Flight AA618 was mid-transit when a 67-year-old Arizona man reportedly became verbally abusive and physically aggressive toward flight attendants and other passengers.

Crew members and fellow passengers intervened, using zip ties and duct tape to restrain the man to his seat. The aircraft landed at BWI around 10:15 p.m., and Maryland Transportation Authority Police took the man into custody at the gate.

American Airlines said it has a zero-tolerance policy for inflight aggression and thanked the crew for their professional handling of the situation. The Federal Aviation Administration has opened an investigation. Authorities have not yet disclosed what charges the passenger may face.