Man Duct-Taped on American Airlines Flight Speaks Out After Violent Outburst

Man duct-taped on American Airlines flight speaks out after alleged violent outburst. Details emerge from court hearing.

Editorial Desk

September 17, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Annapolis, Maryland — A man who was restrained with duct tape on an American Airlines flight has spoken publicly for the first time about the incident that led to his arrest.

The event occurred on a flight from Dallas to New Jersey on September 3, when Layne Lundeen, 67, was reportedly seen shouting racial slurs and allegedly choking his seatmate. Flight attendants and passengers intervened by securing him to his seat, prompting the plane to be diverted to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

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Lundeen appeared in Annapolis court the following day facing second-degree assault and disorderly conduct charges. He told the judge he had no memory of the events, only recalling a conversation with his seatmate, Jonathan Cahn, a Messianic rabbi and author. Cahn claimed the discussion turned volatile when it touched on religious topics, leading to loud and offensive remarks, including alleged anti-Semitic language.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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