Arizona man duct-taped on American Airlines flight was vice president of real estate firm; company says he is no longer affiliated with it

An unruly passenger who was taped to his seat on an American Airlines flight has been fired from the company he worked with as a vice president.

Arthur Lundeen, 67, the man who was duct-taped to his seat on an American Airlines flight after causing a nuisance, was fired from the real estate company where he was a vice president following the incident. A flight from Dallas to Newark had to be diverted to Baltimore last week after Lundeen began using racial and homophobic slurs during the flight. Lundeen was arrested after the plane landed and faces state charges including second-degree assault and disorderly conduct. The FBI is also investigating the incident and may bring federal charges, authorities said.Long Realty, a Tucson-based real estate company, said it stopped doing business with Lundeen after learning of the incident. “Long Realty is aware of reports of criminal charges being filed against a former affiliated real estate agent in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred on a commercial flight,” the company said in a statement. “The behavior described in the reports is completely inconsistent with the professionalism, integrity, compassion and respect for others that Long Realty expects from those associated with the company,” the statement said.Lundin’s LinkedIn profile lists him as vice president of Long Realty in Tucson, although his profile has since been removed from the company’s website. Long Realty said Lundin is no longer affiliated with the company and is not authorized to represent it. “Long Realty has immediately ceased doing business with this individual,” the company said, adding that it “does not tolerate” behavior that does not meet its professional standards.Lundeen was reportedly flying aboard American Airlines Flight 618 on Thursday evening when he allegedly became increasingly aggressive towards passengers and crew.

There is real chaos in the flight, whoever intervened was pushed by Landin.

Another passenger, Juan Mejia, a former law enforcement officer, told ABC News that Lundeen was sitting two rows behind him when the riot began. Mejia said Lundin made derogatory remarks and racial slurs toward airline employees and other passengers and used offensive language toward women seated nearby. The situation escalated after the intervention of a flight attendant. Lundeen allegedly racially abused a black flight attendant and also made anti-gay remarks.He was also accused of physically striking his fellow passenger and damaging a computer during the altercation. When another passenger tried to intervene, Lundin allegedly pushed her.Eventually several passengers intervened to restrain him.Dramatic footage from inside the plane shows Lundin restraining his arms, torso and head with duct tape and his wrists bound with zip ties.The flight was diverted to Baltimore due to what American Airlines called a “disruptive customer.” Law enforcement officers met the plane after it landed and removed the passenger before the flight continued to Newark.Maryland Transportation Police arrested Lundeen, and the FBI later confirmed it was investigating the incident.“The FBI is currently conducting fact-finding interviews and will consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to determine whether federal charges will be filed,” the agency said.