‘I don’t remember’: American Airlines passenger duct-taped to plane seat speaks out for first time

The Arizona man who was duct-taped to his seat in first class while on board an American Airlines flight has spoken out for the first time and claimed he doesn’t remember anything. 

Arthur “Layne” Lundeen, 67, was arrested after allegedly shouting racist slurs and becoming physically violent on American Airlines flight 618 from Dallas to Newark on 3rd September.

Two passengers sitting nearby used duct tape and zip ties to restrain him to his seat. The plane then made an emergency landing in Baltimore, where Lundeen was removed from the plane, arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree assault “for incidents that occurred aboard the aircraft at BWI Airport,” Maryland Transportation Authority Police said.

Audio from the 67-year-old’s first hearing at a detention centre in Annapolis, Maryland, has now been obtained by the Baltimore Banner, in which Lundeen claims he had two drinks and can’t remember what happened. 

“I don’t remember any of what happened,” he told District Court Commissioner George Haag at the Jennifer Road Detention Centre. “I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says? I don’t have my glasses.”

 

 

 

 

 

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When Haag read out the accusations to him, Lundeen replied: “Oh my God. What a mess. I don’t remember any of it.”

He was then asked what brought him to Maryland, and he said: “I came to New York City. I don’t know how I got to Maryland. I was supposed to land in New Jersey.” Lundeen claimed he was flying to New York for his daughter’s birthday and to help her move into her new apartment. 

At the end of the hearing, the 67-year-old asked: “How far am I from New York City?” Haag replied: “That depends on mode of transportation and traffic, but at least a few hours.”

The man said all he remembered was talking to the man sitting next to him, a rabbi called Jonathan Cahn, who’s known for his controversial books and has been dubbed a “doomsday prophet”. Cahn claimed he and Lundeen were chatting normally for hours, but he was “triggered” after seeing the cover of his newest novel, The Altar of Pergamon.

An American Airlines spokesperson said in a statement shared by CNN: “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.”

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Featured image credit: @richardolenick/Instagram