THE DUCT TAPE FLIGHT
Rich and Juan from Gun For Hire were aboard American Airlines Flight 618 when a disruptive passenger became physical. They stepped in, helped restrain him, and stayed with the situation until law enforcement took over after the flight diverted to Baltimore.
When the situation turned physical, they stepped in.
According to national and local news reports, the disturbance unfolded more than halfway through the flight. After the passenger allegedly became violent, Rich and Juan helped the crew and other passengers restrain him using zip ties and duct tape. The aircraft diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, where law enforcement removed the passenger.
The extraordinary photos and video spread quickly, leading to interviews and coverage across television, digital news, travel media, and international outlets.
THE FULL STORY — COMING SOON
Hear what happened aboard American Airlines Flight 618 — in their own words.
CBS 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 InterviewIN THE NEWS
Watch interviews and read reporting from major television networks, news organizations, local outlets and travel media. All links open directly on the publisher’s website.
Passengers 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 + WatchUnruly passenger arrested after being restrained with duct tape during flight
ABC News reports on the diversion, arrest and first-hand accounts from Rich and Juan.
Read ABC NewsPlane passenger taped down to seat over unruly behavior
ABC News video coverage of the incident and the ongoing investigation.
Watch VideoErratic passenger duct-taped to seat on flight to Newark after racist remarks, violence
NBC New York reports on the onboard disturbance, witness accounts and diversion.
Read NBCMan gets duct-taped to seat on American Airlines flight
TMZ’s report includes video and photos from the incident that quickly spread online.
Watch TMZDisruptive passenger restrained with duct tape in first class, forcing emergency landing
People covers the incident, passenger accounts and the flight’s diversion to Baltimore.
Read PeopleMore Coverage
Disruptive passenger duct-taped to first-class seat as plane makes emergency landing
Read Story →Airline passenger duct-taped, zip-tied after mid-air meltdown
Read Story →American Airlines passenger duct-taped to seat, plane diverted after mid-flight outburst
Read Story →Passenger reportedly duct-taped to seat on American Airlines flight leaving DFW
Read Story →American Airlines passenger duct-taped to seat, plane diverted to BWI after disturbance
Read Story →Disruptive passenger duct-taped to plane seat after flight diverts to BWI
Read Story →American Airlines flight diverted to BWI over unruly passenger
Read Story →Man duct-taped to airplane seat after alleged disturbance causes flight to divert to BWI
Read Story →Arizona man duct-taped to seat after alleged slurs as flight diverts to BWI
Read Story →‘Violent’ passenger duct-taped to seat on American Airlines flight
Read Story →US man duct-taped to seat after attacking passenger mid-flight
Read Story →67-year-old man duct taped to seat on American Airlines
Read Story →American Airlines first-class passenger restrained with duct tape and zip ties
Read Story →American Airlines first-class passenger duct-taped to his seat
Read Story →American Airlines passenger duct taped to seat during diversion to Baltimore
Read Story →American Airlines passenger duct-taped to seat after violent midair outburst
Read Story →Passenger duct-taped to first-class seat after racial slurs on American Airlines flight
Read Story →American Airlines passenger duct-taped to seat after mid-air outburst
Read Story →Unruly passenger arrested after being restrained with duct tape during flight
Read Story →American Airlines passenger duct-taped before BWI diversion
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.
