Hijacks Threats from a Passenger’s Texts Force United Flight to Turn Back
A United Airlines flight carrying 150 passengers returned to Las Vegas after a flight attendant reportedly spotted a passenger sending messages about hijacking the aircraft.
The plane was bound for Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday, Oct. 24, when the crew learned of a suspected threat. The pilots secured the cockpit and turned back toward Harry Reid International Airport.
According to the Associated Press, the passenger, identified as 25-year-old Dante Milne, sent messages threatening to hijack the aircraft and crash it into a particular row of passengers.
The aircraft landed safely in Las Vegas, where police detained the man. The incident also left the remaining travelers facing an overnight delay.
Flight Attendant Spots Alleged Hijacking Threat
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According to People, United Flight 1681 had departed Las Vegas late Saturday when the flight attendant reportedly noticed the alarming messages. In air traffic control audio reported by People, a pilot explained that the attendant alerted the cockpit after seeing the passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft. The crew then initiated a lockdown.
“The passenger does not know anything is going on,” the pilot said. “The flight attendant saw him texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft and called me and we went lockdown… No restraint, passenger is compliant because he’s unaware.”
According to the criminal complaint, the passenger’s messages included the phrases “gonna hijack this” and “crash ur row only.” According to the police arrest report obtained by FOX5 Las Vegas, the messages were sent to another passenger aboard the flight, who was seated several rows behind the accused man.
Passenger Arrested as FAA Opens Investigation
Las Vegas police arrested the passenger on suspicion of making threats or providing false information concerning an act of terrorism, a charge carrying a possible prison sentence of one to 20 years.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed that it would investigate the incident.
After being booked at the Clark County Detention Center, the passenger has since been released from custody after posting a $20,000 bail, according to FOX5 Las Vegas. His attorney appeared in Las Vegas Justice Court on Oct. 27 and told the judge that his client intends to plead not guilty. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2027.
The passenger has denied having any intention of harming anyone. According to FOX5 Las Vegas, which reported on the police arrest report, he told detectives that the messages were poorly worded and amounted to “banter between coworkers.” He also said he had been drinking at an airport bar before boarding and was asleep when the crew decided to turn around.
The report states that he initially could not recall what the messages said, although he acknowledged exchanging texts with the other passenger. He denied intending to hijack or crash the plane and reportedly expressed remorse after learning how seriously the crew had taken the messages.
