Unusual footage: Drunken passenger caused a disturbance on a flight and was tied to his seat with tape
According to the TMZ network, a passenger on an American Airlines flight harassed his neighbor, hurled a racist slur at a flight attendant, and made homophobic remarks. The crew and passengers restrained him using adhesive tape, forcing the plane to make an unscheduled landing.
An American Airlines plane that took off on Thursday from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark was forced to divert and land in Baltimore due to a disruptive passenger. In unusual footage published by the TMZ network, several crew members and other passengers are seen acting to restrain the man with the help of adhesive tape.
In a picture from inside the plane, the man is seen in a first-class seat, with several wraps of adhesive tape around his wrists, upper body, and head. According to the report by TMZ, which cites eyewitnesses, the man appeared drunk and started yelling at the passenger next to him. A flight attendant tried to calm the situation, but he called her a racist slur and made homophobic remarks.
Eyewitnesses said that he then became violent, which caused the crew to restrain him and divert the flight from its course. After law enforcement authorities removed the man from the plane, the flight continued to Newark.
"The safety and security of our customers and team members are our top priority and we have zero tolerance for violence," American Airlines stated. "We thank our crew members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding."
In a statement to CBS News, the FBI said that the passenger is in custody on state-level charges, but agents are investigating the incident.
"The FBI is currently conducting an investigation to gather the facts, and will consult with the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Maryland to determine if federal charges will be filed."
