Hero passengers who helped duct-tape man mid-flight pictured as they share new details
Two of the heroic American Airlines passengers who jumped in and duct-taped a man down after a mid-flight meltdown have been pictured.
Chaos erupted onboard a flight between Texas and New Jersey on 3 September, when passenger Arthur Lundeen, 67, was allegedly racist to staff and violent towards fellow passengers.
Crew members were assisted by fellow passengers as they attempted to restrain Lundeen with the liberal use of a roll of duct tape.
Passengers Richard O’Lenick, 53, who owns gun shop Gun for Hire in New Jersey and his employee and ex-cop Juan Mejia, were two of those sprung into action when things started to go badly.
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Speaking to the Daily Voice, O’Lenick said the first couple of hours of the flight were uneventful but then things took a turn.
O’Lenick said the first sign he knew something was wrong was when Lundeen began speaking loudly and using vile language, while seemingly bothering the person sitting in the seat beside him.
Lundeen, who has since lost his job, was asked to quiet down by staff but instead started hurling homophobic and racist slurs.
“It was a pretty volatile situation for a while,” O'Lenick said.
“Safety was definitely a concern, and not knowing where it was going and what the intent was.”
Moments later, O’Lenick said Lundeen began throwing his arms around and alleges that he grabbed another passenger by the throat and hit someone else.
In response to his escalating behaviour Mejia jumped in and helped the passenger sat beside him to get out of their seat and began restraining Lundeen.
O’Lenick quickly followed suit and began to help out his pal and employee.
“I knew we were going to be doing this together, it wasn't a thought,” O'Lenick said.
At first the duo said they attempted to calm Lundeen down but when that didn’t work, O’Lenick said the flight’s crew brought zip ties, while another passenger also helped to restrain him.
Lundeen continued to hit out and even managed to bite Mejia.
According to O’Lenick they then decided the best cause of action was to duct-tape him to his seat.
“He was still fighting us through the entire process,” O’Lenick told the Daily Voice.
Even more chillingly, O’Lenick, who said Lundeen told him: “We're all going to die. This plane is going to crash.”
In response, the gun shop owner told him: “You're going to meet a couple of new friends when we land.”
O’Lenick said he spent 15 minutes sitting on Lundeen's lap while the flight was diverted to Maryland.
The passenger was arrested by Maryland Transportation Police and removed from the plane, which then continued its journey to Newark.
Lundeen was charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, according to TMZ, while the FBI is also reportedly considering if he will face further federal charges.
He is said to have been released and will be in court on 19 October.
Lundeen's LinkedIn profile has since been removed, however, he was previously listed as being vice president at the Tucson real estate firm Long Realty.
But the company has since announced that he is no longer affiliated with it.
American Airlines said of the incident: "On 3 September, American Airlines flight 618 diverted to Baltimore (BWI) due to a disruptive customer.
"Upon arrival, law enforcement met the aircraft and assisted with deplaning the customer before the flight continued to its destination.
"The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we do not tolerate violence.
"We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding."
LADbible Group previously contacted American Airlines for further comment.
Topics: US News, Crime, Travel, American Airlines
Claire Reid