Duct-Taped American Airlines Passenger Says He Remembers Nothing About Midflight Meltdown

Layne Lundeen claimed that he had no recollection of “any of what happened” after his alleged racist and homophobic tirade.Richard O’Lenick via Storyful

An American Airlines passenger who was restrained with duct tape and zip ties during a chaotic flight to Newark has broken his silence, claiming he cannot remember the incident that led to his arrest and forced the plane to divert to Baltimore.

Layne Lundeen, 67, made the claim during a court appearance in Annapolis, Maryland, after being charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

“I don’t remember any of what happened,” Lundeen said during the proceedings.

When he heard one of the allegations against him, he appeared confused, reportedly asking, “I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says?” before adding that he did not have his glasses.

Flight to Newark Ends in Baltimore

The episode unfolded aboard an American Airlines flight headed for Newark, New Jersey.

According to police and witness accounts, Lundeen became increasingly unruly during the flight. His behavior escalated to the point that other passengers restrained him using duct tape and zip ties, and the aircraft ultimately made an emergency landing in Baltimore.

Video from the incident later circulated online, showing Lundeen restrained in his seat.

But during his court appearance, Lundeen repeatedly insisted that he had no memory of how the situation had escalated.

“Oh my God. What a mess. I don’t remember any of it,” he said as District Court Commissioner George Haag read the accusations.

His confusion apparently extended to where he had ended up.

When Haag asked what had brought him to Maryland, Lundeen replied that he had been traveling to New York City and did not understand how he had arrived in Maryland.

“I was supposed to land in New Jersey,” he said.

Passenger Says Conversation Changed Suddenly

Arthur Layne Lundeen, the American Airlines passenger who was duct-taped and zip-tied after allegedly hurling racist and homophobic slurs during a mid-air meltdown.LinkedIn

Lundeen’s seatmate, author and Messianic rabbi Jonathan Cahn, said the two initially had a cordial conversation before the interaction took a dramatic turn when the subject shifted toward spirituality.

Cahn claimed Lundeen’s demeanor changed suddenly and that he began making angry remarks about Christianity. Lundeen, however, reportedly told the court that his only memory from the flight was speaking with the passenger sitting beside him.

Police said Lundeen became increasingly unruly during the flight. The allegations against him include racist and homophobic remarks, according to the report.

Viral Incident Costs Him His Job

The fallout continued after footage of the episode spread online.

Lundeen, an Arizona realtor, was subsequently let go from his position at Tucson-based Long Realty Company. He told the commissioner that the original purpose of his trip was to help one of his daughters move into a new apartment while also celebrating her birthday.

Near the end of the hearing, he even asked how far he was from New York City.

Haag told him the answer depended on traffic and transportation but that he was at least several hours away.

Lundeen was released on his own recognizance following the court appearance and ordered to abstain from alcohol and drugs other than prescribed medications. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 19 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

The case now leaves a striking contrast between the dramatic scenes captured aboard the aircraft and Lundeen’s account afterward: despite the emergency diversion, his arrest and the viral footage of him restrained in his seat, he maintains that he cannot remember what happened.