United Airlines flight returns to Las Vegas after passenger texts about hijacking

A routine cross-country journey turned into a high-security emergency after a flight attendant spotted a passenger composing a text message about hijacking the aircraft, according to reports from Simple Flying and the New York Post. The aircraft, operating as United Airlines Flight 1681, was forced to abort its flight path and return to its departure point under emergency protocols. The incident highlights the immediate and stringent security measures commercial flight crews enact when potential threats are identified midair.

The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 registered as N17310 and configured to carry up to 166 passengers, had departed from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. Destination records confirm the service was bound for Newark Liberty International Airport. Official manifests noted that 150 passengers and six crew members were onboard when the disturbance unfolded.

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According to air traffic control audio detailed by Simple Flying and reported by the New York Post, a flight attendant observed the traveler typing a message containing an expletive and a declaration that he was going to hijack the plane and target a specific row. The crew member refrained from engaging with the individual directly and instead immediately alerted the captain. Upon receiving the warning, the flight crew initiated a cockpit lockdown and elected to reverse course. Transponder data cited by Simple Flying indicates the jet made a U-turn over the Arizona ghost town of Oak Grove after climbing to an altitude of 24,000 feet.

To secure priority routing back to the airport, the flight crew declared a general emergency by squawking 7700, as reported by Simple Flying. Because the twin-jet had recently departed with fuel intended for a multi-hour transcontinental flight, it was significantly above its maximum landing weight. Lacking fuel-dumping capabilities, the pilots flew slower to burn off weight and informed air traffic controllers that they might require the full length of Runway 26L.

Passenger accounts offered a differing initial perspective on the ground chaos following the unscheduled landing. As noted by View from the Wing, some travelers onboard reported being told by crew members that an unauthorized person had boarded the aircraft, while others noted that K9 units swept the cabin. Authorities later clarified the nature of the security response, confirming that three individuals were initially detained before two were released and one was formally arrested.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department identified the arrested individual as 25-year-old Dante Milne. According to ABC News and the New York Post, he faces charges of making a threat or conveying false information concerning acts of terrorism, an offense that carries a potential prison sentence ranging from one to 20 years. Audio transmissions and pilot statements highlighted by Simple Flying and the New York Post indicated that the suspect remained completely unaware that his phone activity had been intercepted until law enforcement boarded the aircraft upon its safe touchdown at Harry Reid International Airport.

The disruption extended well beyond the initial landing. Due to the hours consumed by the emergency return, security sweeps, and police interviews, the flight crew exceeded their legal working hours. United Airlines confirmed that the service suffered an overnight delay because of crew timeouts. Passengers were accommodated on an alternative flight that departed the following morning, arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport more than eight hours behind schedule. Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration has launched an active investigation into the disturbance, pointing to broader industry statistics tracking thousands of unruly passenger incidents.

What to Watch Next

• Legal proceedings for the accused passenger, with initial court appearances scheduled in the judicial timeline.
• Findings from the official Federal Aviation Administration safety and security investigation.
• Potential policy updates from major carriers regarding digital communication monitoring and cabin security protocols during domestic flights.