Man who was duct-taped on flight after alleged violent outburst breaks his silence

Layne Lundeen, 67, has spoken publicly for the first time about the September 3 incident that brought him to national attention. The former American Airlines passenger was duct‑taped to his seat after he allegedly shouted racial slurs at crew members and choked a fellow passenger. The flight, bound from Dallas to New Jersey, was diverted to Baltimore‑Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where Lundeen was arrested.

The following day, Lundeen appeared before an Annapolis court on charges of second‑degree assault and disorderly conduct. During the hearing he told the judge he could only recall speaking with a man seated beside him, Messianic rabbi and author Jonathan Cahn. When the charges were read, Lundeen, who could not read them without his glasses, asked, “I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says?” After hearing the allegations, he said, “Oh my God, what a mess,” and insisted he had no memory of the events.

Cahn, who has been described by the New York Times as an “entrepreneurial doomsday prophet,” said he and Lundeen spoke for about two hours before Lundeen allegedly began shouting profanity and blasphemy. Lundeen was later taken into custody and, according to reports, struck a police officer in the chest.

Long Realty, a company that had worked with Lundeen, cut ties with him, saying the conduct was “wholly inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity, compassion, and respect for others” it expects from its associates. District Court Commissioner George Haag released Lundeen on his own recognizance, ordering him to abstain from alcohol or drugs except prescribed medication. A subsequent hearing is set for October 19.