US passenger duct-taped to plane seat says: ‘I don’t remember any of it’

An American Airlines passenger who was duct-taped to his seat following an alleged outburst including racial and homophobic slurs said that he does not recall the incident.

On 3 September, 67-year old Layne Lundeen was restrained in his first-class seat with duct tape and zip ties over alleged unruly behavior. The American Airline Flight 618 was originally traveling from Dallas, Texas, to Newark, New Jersey, and was diverted to the Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall airport in an emergency landing.

Upon landing, authorities arrested Lundeen and charged him with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

In a court hearing the following day, Lundeen said, “I don’t remember any of what happened,” according to a recording recently reviewed by the Baltimore Banner.

The outlet added that after being read his charges, Lundeen said: “I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says? I don’t have my glasses.”

He added: “Oh my god, what a mess … I don’t remember any of it.”

The Guardian has reached out to Lundeen’s lawyer for comment.

Speaking to ABC following the incident, Juan Mejia, a former law enforcement officer and one of the flight’s passengers who helped restrain Lundeen, said that he had allegedly “made derogatory remarks to the staff of American Airlines and other passengers – racial slurs, vulgar language, very offensive to the women.”

Another passenger, Richard Olenick, told CNN that Lundeen had allegedly also tried to hit the passenger next to him, as well as a woman who tried to intervene. Olenick, who also helped restrain Lundeen in his seat using duct tape, told the outlet: “Physically it lessened his ability to move for sure, but it did not solve the issue. He was still pushing and resisting and trying to get up.”

American Airlines has also issued a statement, saying: “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.”

Meanwhile, Lundeen’s former employer, Long Realty in Tucson, Arizona, said in a Facebook statement that it had “ended its affiliation” with him.

“Long Realty is aware of reports concerning criminal charges filed against a former affiliated real estate agent arising from an incident that allegedly occurred during a commercial flight. Upon learning of the incident, Long Realty promptly ended its affiliation with the individual. The individual is no longer associated with or authorized to represent Long Realty in any capacity,” the company said.