THE DUCT TAPE FLIGHT
Rich and Juan from Gun For Hire were aboard American Airlines Flight 618 when a passenger disturbance turned physical. They stepped in, helped restrain the passenger, and remained involved until the flight diverted to Baltimore and law enforcement took over.
ONE FLIGHT. THREE SIDES OF THE STORY.
American Airlines Flight 618 was traveling from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark on September 3, 2026, when a disturbance in first class escalated into a physical confrontation. Rich O’Lenick and Juan Mejia from Gun For Hire helped restrain passenger Arthur “Layne” Lundeen with zip ties and duct tape before the aircraft diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
What followed became a national story. We begin with Rich and Juan’s first-hand account, then Arthur “Layne” Lundeen’s recorded court statements and case coverage, followed by Jonathan Cahn’s detailed seatmate account and interviews. The page then opens into the broader national, local and international media archive.
THE MEN WHO STEPPED IN
Rich O’Lenick and Juan Mejia were seated nearby when the disturbance escalated. They helped bring the situation under control and later spoke with national and local media about what they saw, what happened during the restraint, and what the short viral clips did not show. Start here with Gun For Hire’s full, uncut interview.
WHAT YOU DIDN’T SEE — THE FULL STORY
In this uncut Gun For Hire interview, Rich walks through Flight 618 from beginning to end — including the moments before the restraint, what happened while he and Juan were involved, and details that never made the short television reports.
Watch on YouTubeCBS NEWS NEW YORK
CBS New York interviewed Rich and Juan about what happened aboard the flight and how they helped restrain the passenger.
Watch CBS InterviewHIS COURT STATEMENTS & THE CASE
Lundeen has not given a verified sit-down news interview that we could find. He has, however, spoken on the record: The Baltimore Banner obtained audio from his September 4 Maryland court appearance. Those court remarks are currently the clearest direct public statements from Lundeen himself.
WHAT LUNDEEN HAS SAID
On the incident: “I don’t remember any of what happened.”
When told about the allegation involving an officer: “I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says?”
The Banner also reported that Lundeen acknowledged drinking two screwdrivers and said he did not know how he ended up in Maryland. These remarks came during his initial court appearance, not a media interview.
Hear / Read The Banner Court CoverageLundeen speaks during his initial Maryland court appearance
The Banner obtained the court audio directly. Lundeen said he did not remember what happened, acknowledged having two screwdrivers and reacted as the allegations were read to him.
Read / Hear The Banner“I don’t remember any of it” — Lundeen’s court statements
CBS Baltimore reported on audio from Lundeen’s initial hearing, including his reaction as the charges and allegations were read to him.
Read / Hear CBSPassenger restrained with duct tape says he does not remember the incident
People’s follow-up summarizes Lundeen’s court statements, the allegations from witnesses and the criminal charges stemming from the flight.
Read PeopleLundeen says he has no memory of the “air rage” incident
The Times reported on his court comments, the allegations described by witnesses and the status of the Maryland case.
Read The TimesLundeen’s first public explanation emerges through court audio
The Post covered Lundeen’s claim that he could not remember the episode and reported details from the initial Maryland hearing.
Read NY PostAdditional video angles, custody footage and follow-up reporting
TMZ has continued adding video and reports tied specifically to Lundeen, including footage from the plane and his removal by police.
See TMZ CoverageEmployment fallout and allegations after the Flight 618 incident
The Guardian reported on the charges, the alleged conduct aboard the aircraft and Long Realty’s decision to end its affiliation with Lundeen.
Read The GuardianTHE SEATMATE’S ACCOUNT
Jonathan Cahn, a New Jersey author and Messianic rabbi, later identified himself as Lundeen’s seatmate. Cahn says the two spoke calmly for roughly two hours before the encounter abruptly escalated and Lundeen put his hands around Cahn’s neck. This section begins with Cahn’s own long-form account, followed by interviews and independent reporting about his allegations.
JONATHAN CAHN — HIS FULL ACCOUNT
Cahn’s long-form video describes the conversation with Lundeen, the alleged attack, the intervention by other passengers, and Cahn’s personal interpretation of what happened aboard Flight 618.
Watch Cahn’s Full VideoSeatmate says he was put in a chokehold during the violent outburst
People interviewed Cahn directly about the confrontation, his conversation with Lundeen and the moments before Rich and Juan intervened.
Read People ExclusiveJonathan Cahn describes what he says happened before the restraint
CBN News interviewed Cahn about the flight and the allegations he says were missing from early reports.
Watch / Read CBNCahn joins Glenn Beck to recount the Flight 618 incident
In the September 8 program, Cahn discussed the alleged attack in detail and offered his personal spiritual interpretation of the encounter.
Listen / WatchSpecial episode devoted to Flight 618
Cahn released a 46-minute podcast episode focused entirely on his version of the flight and the events surrounding the confrontation.
Listen to EpisodeWayne author identifies himself as Lundeen’s seatmate
Local New Jersey coverage focused on Cahn’s identity, his Wayne connection and his account of what he says triggered the confrontation.
Read CoverageIN THE NEWS
This archive collects the broad media footprint of Flight 618: major national networks and publications first, followed by local television, newspapers, aviation media, travel outlets and international coverage.
Featured Major Coverage
Unruly Passenger Is Restrained With Duct Tape During a Flight
The Times interviewed Rich O'Lenick directly and identified him as owner and CFO of Gun For Hire while reporting how he and Juan Mejia stepped in.
Read The New York TimesDisruptive passenger duct-taped to first-class seat as plane makes emergency landing
CNN's national report features Richard Olenick and Juan Mejia's account of the confrontation and the diversion to Baltimore.
Read CNNUnruly passenger arrested after being restrained with duct tape during flight
ABC News interviewed Juan and Rich and reported on the arrest, diversion and investigation.
Read ABC NewsPassengers who helped restrain disruptive man on American Airlines flight describe chaos
Rich and Juan speak with CBS New York about what happened aboard the Newark-bound flight.
Read + Watch CBSErratic passenger duct-taped to seat on flight to Newark after racist remarks, violence
NBC New York reported on the disturbance and later returned to the story with a follow-up featuring the two New Jersey men who intervened.
Read NBCAmerican Airlines passenger duct-taped to seat after alleged racist, homophobic midair outburst
Fox News covered the onboard disturbance, the restraint and the flight's diversion to BWI.
Read Fox NewsDisruptive passenger restrained with duct tape in first class, forcing emergency landing
People covered the original incident and has continued publishing follow-up reporting as new details emerged.
Read PeopleMan gets duct-taped to seat on American Airlines flight
TMZ was first to report the story and published the images and video that helped send the incident viral.
Watch TMZMan who was duct-taped on American Airlines flight after alleged violent outburst breaks his silence
The Independent covered the later court-hearing account and the passenger's claim that he did not remember the incident.
Read The IndependentPassenger duct-taped to seat says he does not remember the incident
The Times followed the story internationally with reporting on the court appearance and the passenger's account afterward.
Read The TimesMan duct-taped to airplane seat says “I don't remember any of it”
CBS Baltimore reported on audio from the passenger's initial court hearing and revisited the Flight 618 incident.
Read CBS BaltimoreMan restrained by duct tape claims he doesn't remember incident
People's newest follow-up revisits the September 3 flight, the charges and the passenger's statements at his hearing.
Read Latest People StoryMore Coverage
BADGE 502 shares the Flight 618 story with Gun For Hire
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Read Story →American Airlines passenger duct-taped to seat after violent midair outburst
Read Story →SECURING PASSENGER
Sometimes the right tool really matters. Ask for duct tape at the Gun For Hire retail counter.
The New Go-To Flying Shirt
Rich was wearing Gun For Hire’s “To Build and Protect” shirt during the now-viral Flight 618 incident. If you’re looking for the shirt that gets the conversation started before you even reach the gate, this is the one.
