United Airlines flight returns to Las Vegas after passenger hijacking threat

A United Airlines flight bound for Newark, New Jersey, was forced to return to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Saturday, Oct. 24, after a passenger allegedly sent messages threatening to hijack the aircraft.

Flight attendants reportedly observed 25-year-old Dante Milne sending text messages to another passenger that included phrases such as “I’m gonna hijack this” and “crash ur row only.” Upon receiving the alert, the crew initiated a lockdown and secured the cockpit. The Boeing 737, carrying 150 passengers and six crew members, landed safely in Las Vegas, where Milne was detained by police.

Milne, a resident of Woodridge, New Jersey, told authorities that the messages were intended as “banter between coworkers” and denied any intent to cause harm. He also attributed the incident to alcohol consumption at an airport bar prior to boarding. Milne has been charged with making a threat or providing false information regarding an act of terrorism, a charge that carries a potential prison sentence of one to 20 years. His attorney stated that Milne plans to plead not guilty.