An American Airlines flight bound for New Jersey was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger allegedly launched into a violent outburst, shouting racial and homophobic slurs and attacking other people on board.

The man was eventually restrained with flexible handcuffs and duct tape and secured to his first-class seat until the aircraft could land safely.

The extraordinary incident unfolded Thursday night, Sept. 3, aboard American Airlines Flight 618, which was traveling from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport.

About two hours into the flight, the crew encountered what the airline described as a “disruptive customer.”

The situation became serious enough that the pilots diverted the aircraft to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).

The disruptive passenger.Credit : 

Richard O’Lenick via Storyful

‘All of a Sudden, It Went From Quiet to Yelling and Chaos’

Passengers described a sudden eruption of violence inside the cabin.

Juan Mejia, who was sitting two rows ahead of the passenger, told CBS News that everything had initially been calm before the situation quickly spiraled.

“All of a sudden, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos,” Mejia said.

When he turned around, he said he saw the man allegedly attacking the passenger seated beside him.

“The individual had his hands around his neck and was, like, assaulting him,” Mejia recalled.

Another passenger, Richard Olenick, who was sitting in the same row, alleged that the man directed a racial slur at a flight attendant.

According to CNN, the passenger also allegedly shouted racial and homophobic slurs at crew members and other travelers and struck at least two people.

The disruptive passenger.

Richard O’Lenick via Storyful

Passengers Helped Crew Restrain Him

The situation reportedly became so volatile that other passengers joined the flight crew in trying to stop the man.

Mejia told CBS News that the passenger bit his hand during the struggle.

“He didn’t break skin, just left teeth marks on my hand,” he said. “We were covered in his blood.”

Mejia also said the man appeared to have suffered cuts that he inflicted on himself and was bleeding heavily.

Eventually, the passenger was restrained.

His hands were secured with zip ties, while duct tape was used to hold him to his first-class seat.

According to CBS News and CNN, he remained restrained for roughly 15 minutes as the aircraft prepared to land in Baltimore.

Passengers captured photographs and video of the unusual scene, showing the man restrained in his seat.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

Alamy

The Plane Was Diverted to Baltimore

American Airlines Flight 618 landed safely at BWI at approximately 10:15 p.m. local time, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Law enforcement officers met the aircraft after it arrived.

American Airlines said officers assisted with removing the passenger before the flight continued on to Newark.

“The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we do not tolerate violence,” the airline said in a statement.

The airline also thanked its crew for their professionalism and passengers for their understanding during the disruption.

Was Alcohol Involved?

The circumstances surrounding what triggered the passenger’s behavior remain under investigation.

Passengers told CBS News that a flight attendant gave the man one drink during the flight.

It is not known whether alcohol played any role in the incident.

The passenger has not been publicly identified.

The FBI confirmed that he was arrested following the emergency landing and booked on state charges in Maryland by the Maryland Transportation Authority Police.

Federal Charges Could Follow

The investigation is not over.

The FBI said it is interviewing witnesses and gathering information before consulting with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland about whether federal charges should be filed.

“One man is under arrest on state charges in Maryland,” the FBI said in a statement.

The agency also encouraged anyone who witnessed or experienced a crime aboard an aircraft to report it to the flight crew, local airport police or the FBI.

For the passengers aboard Flight 618, what began as an ordinary trip from Texas to New Jersey instead ended with an emergency landing, a violent confrontation and a passenger restrained in first class.

The flight eventually continued to Newark — but only after law enforcement had removed the man from the aircraft.