A United Airlines flight bound for Newark returned to Harry Reid International Airport on Saturday night after a flight attendant reportedly saw a passenger texting about hijacking the plane, according to cockpit audio posted online. Las Vegas police arrested the passenger after landing.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police identified the man as Dante Milne, 25. Police said he made terroristic threats on the flight. He was charged with making a threat or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism.
United Flight 1681 departed Las Vegas on Oct. 24 for Newark Liberty International Airport. In audio shared online, a crew member told air traffic control that a flight attendant saw the passenger texting that he planned to hijack the aircraft, and that the crew locked down the cockpit and turned back. The crew member said the passenger did not know the plane was returning and did not need to be restrained.
The plane landed back in Las Vegas at 11:42 p.m., about 50 minutes after takeoff, according to flight tracking data. Officers met the aircraft at the airport.
United said the flight “safely returned to Las Vegas to address a potential security concern” and did not give further details. Airport officials said no injuries were reported and referred questions to the airline and Metro police.
The flight was delayed overnight because the crew had reached its duty limits. It left for Newark on Sunday morning and arrived at 3:06 p.m., according to FlightAware.
It was not immediately known when Milne is due in court.
