A mid-air meltdown was silenced with the help of the most versatile tool in the world: duct tape.
Flying is difficult and uncomfortable enough without having to deal with the craziness and unpredictability of an out-of-control passenger, but one flight crew was prepared to do whatever it took to ensure safety on their plane.
Video from TMZ shows attendants zip-tying and taping a man to his seat after an alleged outburst on an American Airlines flight from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport. The plane was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport due to the man’s behavior, which allegedly included calling a flight attendant “the N-word” and using anti-gay slurs.
Watch:
A passenger was duct-taped to his seat after allegedly making racist and anti-gay remarks on an American Airlines flight.
According to TMZ, the man allegedly used the N-word toward a Black flight attendant and became violent, hitting another passenger and pushing a woman who… pic.twitter.com/GuqwkeEdoh
— Complex (@Complex) September 4, 2026
The man, who may have been intoxicated at the time of the incident, became increasingly erratic and violent, even allegedly striking a nearby passenger and his computer. When a female passenger attempted to intervene, he pushed her out of the way. This prompted three males to get involved, at which time he was finally restrained.
“Our sources say flight attendants handed duct tape and zip ties to three male passengers, who then used the items to restrain the unruly man to his seat. Our sources say the three then held the man down as he tried to fight his way out of his restraints,” TMZ reported.
American Airlines also released a statement on the incident, confirming the man was removed from the plane, and the rest of the passengers were later transported to their intended destination.
“On Sept. 3, American Airlines flight 618 diverted to Baltimore (BWI) due to a disruptive customer. Upon arrival, law enforcement met the aircraft and assisted with deplaning the customer before the flight continued to its destination. 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,” the company said.
X users reacted:
They needed to tape his forehead? Lol damn.
— High Vibrational
(@heiressofsight) September 5, 2026
The safety briefing said ‘in case of emergency, remain calm.’ Passengers heard ‘duct tape the sermon.’
— Semper Raw
(@SemperRaw) September 5, 2026
Lmfaoo what a fuckin bum. I’d never show my face again if I ever got duct taped to a fuckin air line seat.
— Sun_Devil_009 (@BrazzGlock) September 4, 2026
He was screaming about Jesus and hell, then spent the rest of the flight looking like a poorly wrapped gift that bites people.
Respect to the passengers who actually stopped it instead of just filming.— with love, Eyiyemi
(@withloveyemiboy) September 5, 2026
