A United Airlines flight heading to New Jersey returned to Las Vegas following an apparent hijacking threat Saturday.
United Flight 1681 was carrying 150 passengers and six crew members from Harry Reid International Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport on Oct. 24 when a flight attendant noticed a traveler sending messages with reference to taking control of the plane.
The crew member did not engage with the passenger and quickly alerted the pilot.
A United Flight 1681 flight attendant saw a passenger sending messages that he was going to hijack the plane.Getty Images
“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,” the flight’s pilot told an air traffic controller shortly after the plane took off, reported CBS News.
When the controller inquired whether the passenger was cooperative or under restraint, the pilot said that the traveler showed “no restraint” because “he’s unaware.”
“United Airlines Flight 1681 returned safely to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas around 11:05 p.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 24, after the crew reported a passenger disturbance,” the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
United Airlines Flight 1681 returned to Harry Reid International Airport because of “a passenger disturbance,” FAA said.Lori – stock.adobe.com
After successfully returning to Las Vegas, all passengers who were removed from the flight and the aircraft underwent a comprehensive inspection, authorities said.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the airport and arrested 25-year-old Dante Milne on suspicion of making threats or conveying false information concerning acts of terrorism, according to PEOPLE.
The passengers were placed on an alternative flight, which departed from Harry Reid International Airport Sunday morning.
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