A United Airlines flight carrying 156 passengers and crew was forced to return to Las Vegas after a flight attendant reportedly observed a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft, prompting a cockpit lockdown and police response.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A United Airlines flight bound for Newark, New Jersey, made an emergency return to Las Vegas on Saturday night after a flight attendant reportedly spotted a passenger sending text messages indicating he intended to hijack the aircraft, prompting the crew to secure the cockpit and alert air traffic controllers.
The incident occurred Oct. 24 aboard United Flight 1681, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 carrying 150 passengers and six crew members. The aircraft had departed Harry Reid International Airport when a flight attendant reported seeing the threatening messages on a passenger’s cellphone.
According to The Associated Press, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested a 25-year-old man after the plane returned to the airport. He was charged with making a threat or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism.
The suspect was identified in local reporting as Dante Milne. Authorities have not publicly established whether he possessed the means to carry out a hijacking or intended to act on the alleged threat.
Air traffic control recordings reveal that the flight crew immediately implemented security precautions after the messages were discovered.
“The flight attendant saw him texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft. They called me, we went into lockdown, and we returned to Vegas,” a pilot told an air traffic controller, according to audio cited by The Independent.
The crew secured the flight deck while keeping the passenger unaware that his messages had been discovered. The pilot informed controllers that the man remained cooperative and did not need to be physically restrained.
The aircraft’s transponder was changed to emergency code 7700, signaling a general emergency to air traffic controllers.
Rather than immediately returning to the airport, the pilots had to account for the aircraft’s weight. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was carrying enough fuel for its planned cross-country flight to Newark Liberty International Airport, creating concerns about landing above its normal maximum landing weight.
Because the aircraft does not have a fuel-dumping system, the crew conducted additional maneuvers to burn fuel before landing.
According to aviation publication Simple Flying, the pilot advised air traffic control that the aircraft might need the full length of Runway 26L to accommodate the landing.
The runway measures approximately 10,526 feet, providing additional stopping distance for the aircraft.
Flight-tracking information indicated the plane departed Las Vegas around 10:51 p.m. and returned at approximately 11:42 p.m., less than an hour after takeoff.
Police officers met the aircraft following its arrival and detained the passenger identified in connection with the reported threat. No injuries were reported.
United Airlines confirmed the diversion in a statement Sunday, describing the incident as a potential security concern.
“United flight 1681 from Las Vegas to Newark on Saturday, Oct. 24, safely returned to Las Vegas to address a potential security concern,” the airline said in a statement reported by KLAS-TV.
“The flight was delayed overnight due to crew timeout, and departed for Newark this morning,” United added.
The overnight delay resulted from federal crew-duty limitations governing how long pilots and flight attendants may remain on duty. Passengers were accommodated in Las Vegas before the airline resumed the flight Sunday morning.
Flight records indicated the delayed service subsequently reached Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon.
Harry Reid International Airport officials confirmed that the aircraft returned following a reported passenger disturbance and that everyone aboard was safe.
“We can confirm that United Flight 1681 turned around shortly after takeoff due to a passenger disturbance. No injuries were reported,” an airport spokesperson said.
The Federal Aviation Administration also confirmed the incident and announced that it would investigate the circumstances surrounding the flight’s return.
In its preliminary statement, the agency described the event as a passenger disturbance rather than confirming that an actual hijacking attempt occurred.
The distinction remains important because the reported cellphone messages prompted a security response, but investigators have not publicly disclosed the complete contents of the communications or established that the passenger attempted to seize control of the aircraft.
Milne’s initial court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday. His attorney had not immediately responded to requests for comment, according to the Associated Press.
The case comes amid continuing concerns about disruptive and threatening behavior aboard commercial aircraft. The FAA has recorded more than 1,400 unruly passenger incidents during 2026, although the vast majority have not involved allegations of hijacking.
Federal aviation regulations prohibit threatening conduct that interferes with flight crews or compromises aircraft safety. Authorities may pursue criminal charges when threats involve alleged acts of terrorism, even if no physical attempt to carry out the threatened action occurs.
The reported messages aboard Flight 1681 prompted immediate precautions by the crew, including securing the cockpit, coordinating with air traffic control and returning to the departure airport.
The aircraft landed safely, and all 156 people aboard escaped injury. Federal aviation authorities are continuing their investigation, while the arrested passenger faces criminal proceedings over the alleged threat.
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