Duct-taped on a flight diverted to BWI, man says he doesn’t remember any of it

An American Airlines passenger who caused a flight to divert to Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport after police allege he spewed profanities and racial slurs said he drank two screwdrivers and doesn’t remember what happened.

Layne Lundeen was duct-taped to his seat and restrained with zip ties during the Sept. 3 flight from Dallas to Newark, New Jersey, before being taken into custody at BWI, Maryland Transportation Authority Police said.

When speaking at his initial appearance in Annapolis the next day on charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct, Lundeen said all he remembered was talking to the man seated next to him: Jonathan Cahn, a controversial Messianic rabbi and author.

The Banner obtained audio of the court proceeding.

“I don’t remember any of what happened,” Lundeen, 67, of Tucson, Arizona, told District Court Commissioner George Haag at the Jennifer Road Detention Center.

Lundeen could not immediately be reached Tuesday for comment, and no attorney for him was listed in court records.

At the beginning of the hearing, Haag advised Lundeen of the charges against him.

“I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says?” Lundeen said. “I don’t have my glasses.”

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

Police say witnesses reported that Lundeen “became increasingly unruly” on the flight, spewing profanities and racial slurs, waking up a sleeping passenger, and asking another if she loved Jesus.

In a phone interview Tuesday evening, Cahn said he was sitting in the last aisle seat in first class on the flight. Lundeen had the window seat.

Cahn, whom The New York Times in 2019 described as “an entrepreneurial doomsday prophet,” has several best-selling novels and has cast President Donald Trump as a biblical figure. He leads the Beth Israel Worship Center, a congregation in Wayne, New Jersey.

They talked for about two hours — so much that flight attendants thought they were old friends, though it was their first meeting. Lundeen’s attitude changed when their conversation shifted to religion, Cahn said.

He said Lundeen began spewing profanities, lewdness, vulgarities and blasphemy.

“He was slurring everything and everybody,” Cahn said.

Cahn said Lundeen hurled antisemitic remarks at him and attacked him. Police did not detail those allegations in court documents.

The American Airlines pilot announced the emergency landing amid their tussling. Two men seated a couple of rows ahead got the duct tape and restrained Lundeen, Cahn said.

As police escorted Lundeen off the plane, he hit an officer in the chest.

Cahn said he’ll be flying again at the end of the month.

“I’m hoping those flights will be uneventful and not memorable,” Cahn said. “If not, I just take that duct tape with me.”

Lundeen reported that he worked for Long Realty as a managing partner.

In a statement on Facebook, Long Realty wrote that when the company learned of the allegations, it “promptly ended its affiliation with the individual.”

“The conduct described in the reports is wholly inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity, compassion, and respect for others that Long Realty expects from those affiliated with the company,” the statement said. “We expect those associated with our company to uphold those values, and we have no tolerance for conduct that so clearly falls short of those expectations.”

Later, Haag asked, “What brings you to Maryland?”

“I came to New York City. I don’t know how I got to Maryland,” Lundeen replied. “I was supposed to land in New Jersey.”

He said he was flying to help one of his daughters move into a new apartment. Her birthday was also that Sunday.

“I got a double whammy for my trip,” he said. “Well, now, it’s a triple whammy.”

Haag released Lundeen on his own recognizance and ordered him to abstain from alcohol and drugs, except for prescribed medication. His trial is scheduled for Oct. 19 in the District Court of Maryland for Anne Arundel County in Glen Burnie.

Before the hearing wrapped up, Haag told Lundeen, “You are in Annapolis right now. So you’re in the state capital.”

“How far am I from New York City?” Lundeen asked.

“That depends on mode of transportation and traffic,” Haag responded, “but at least a few hours.”