An American Airlines passenger who allegedly went on a shocking midair tirade before being restrained with duct tape and zip ties says he has no memory of what happened.
Layne Lundeen, 67, made the stunning claim during a court appearance in Annapolis, Maryland, after his flight to Newark was diverted to Baltimore.
“I don’t remember any of what happened,” Lundeen said during the hearing, according to audio obtained by The Baltimore Banner.
At one point, Lundeen appeared surprised when the charges against him were read.
“I assaulted a police officer? Is that what it says?” he reportedly asked. “I don’t have my glasses.”
As District Court Commissioner George Haag continued reading the accusations, Lundeen reacted with disbelief.
“Oh my God. What a mess,” he said. “I don’t remember any of it.”
The bizarre incident unfolded aboard an American Airlines flight when witnesses said Lundeen became increasingly unruly.
Passengers eventually restrained him in his seat using duct tape and zip ties while the crew diverted the plane to Baltimore.
Police arrested Lundeen shortly after landing.
He was charged with second-degree assault and disorderly conduct.
During his court appearance, Lundeen also appeared confused about how he had ended up in Maryland.
“I came to New York City. I don’t know how I got to Maryland,” he said. “I was supposed to land in New Jersey.”
Lundeen, an Arizona real estate agent, was later fired from Tucson-based Long Realty Company after videos of the incident spread online.
He told the court he had been traveling east to help one of his daughters move into a new apartment and celebrate her birthday.
“I got a double whammy for my trip,” he said. “Well, now it’s a triple whammy.”
According to witnesses, Lundeen allegedly shouted racist and homophobic remarks during the flight.
His seatmate, author and Messianic rabbi Jonathan Cahn, said the two initially had a friendly conversation before the discussion turned toward religion.
Cahn claimed Lundeen’s behavior suddenly changed when they began discussing Christianity and that Lundeen became angry and started making profane comments about Jesus and God.
Lundeen reportedly told the court the only part of the flight he remembered was speaking with the passenger sitting beside him.
Cahn later described the change in Lundeen’s behavior as dramatic, saying he went from being friendly to extremely hostile within moments.
After his arrest, Lundeen was released on his own recognizance.
A judge ordered him to stay away from alcohol and illegal drugs while the case is pending, with exceptions for legally prescribed medication.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 19 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
For now, Lundeen maintains that he cannot remember the bizarre episode that ended with him duct-taped to an airplane seat and under arrest.
