American Airlines Passenger Who Duct-Taped to Seat, Gagged After Trying to Open Cabin Door Mid-Flight Sues

A passenger on an American Airlines flight has filed a lawsuit after being duct-taped to his seat and gagged mid-flight. The incident occurred on a flight from Dallas to Charlotte on July 23, 2023, and involved a passenger who allegedly attempted to open the cabin door during the flight. According to the lawsuit, the passenger, Michael Anderson, was acting erratically and was deemed a threat to the safety of the other passengers and crew members. The lawsuit claims that he was restrained by the flight crew and other passengers and remained restrained for the entirety of the flight. He was reportedly duct-taped to his seat, gagged, and had his hands bound with zip-ties. Anderson alleges that he suffered both physical and psychological injuries due to the restraint, which included a broken nose and other injuries. The lawsuit accuses the airline and its employees of negligence, false imprisonment, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit, filed in a North Carolina federal court, is seeking unspecified damages. A spokesperson for American Airlines declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing the ongoing legal process. While the lawsuit claims that Anderson was restrained due to his erratic behavior and attempts to open the cabin door, it's important to note that the airline's perspective and the full context of the incident remain unclear. The lawsuit is currently pending, and it's likely that further legal proceedings and investigations will shed light on the details of this incident.

Summary

"This incident highlights the complexities of managing disruptive passengers on flights and raises questions about the appropriate use of restraint and the balance between passenger safety and individual rights. The lawsuit is still ongoing and will likely determine the liability of the airline and the full extent of the incident."