Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Violent Passenger Forces American Airlines Flight Diversion to Baltimore
An airplane was flying from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark when a passenger allegedly became violent.
Witnesses said he attacked the person sitting next to him.
A flight attendant reportedly tried to calm him down first.
Passengers and crew members then worked together to restrain him.
They used zip ties and duct tape to keep him in his seat.
The pilots diverted the plane to Baltimore.
Police took the passenger off the plane there, and the flight continued to Newark.
The FBI is investigating, and the accusations have not been proven in court.
American Airlines Flight 618 diverted from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark to Baltimore after a passenger allegedly became violent.
Witnesses said the passenger attacked the person seated beside him about two hours after takeoff.
Passengers and crew members used zip ties and duct tape to restrain the passenger in his seat.
Law enforcement officers removed the passenger in Baltimore, and the flight later continued to Newark.
The FBI is investigating while the passenger remains in custody on state charges; possible federal charges have not been decided.
- Who
- A passenger, fellow travelers, American Airlines crew members, Baltimore law enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were involved.
- What
- A passenger allegedly attacked another traveler, was restrained, and caused an American Airlines flight to divert.
- When
- September 3, about two hours after takeoff; one account described the diversion as occurring late Thursday.
- Where
- The flight was traveling from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark and diverted to Baltimore.
- Why
- The pilots diverted the aircraft because of the allegedly violent and disruptive behavior.
- Flight
- American Airlines Flight 618
- Original route
- Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark
- Diversion airport
- Baltimore
- Reported incident
- Witnesses alleged that the passenger attacked the person seated beside him and made racial and homophobic remarks.
- Restraint
- Passengers and crew members reportedly used zip ties and duct tape to secure the passenger to his seat.
- Custody
- The passenger was taken into custody on state charges after landing in Baltimore.
- Investigation
- The FBI is interviewing witnesses and consulting the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland about possible federal charges.
