Text Message Referencing a ‘Hijack’ Forces United Flight to Return to Vegas

Live updates

1. 7h ago

   Hijack Text Forces United Flight Back to Las Vegas

   A United Airlines flight traveling from Las Vegas to Newark returned to Harry Reid International Airport after a flight attendant spotted a passenger texting about a hijacking. The 25-year-old passenger was arrested and later told police the message was drunken banter sent to a co-worker with no intention to harm anyone. The text messages included statements reading 'I'm gonna hijack this' and 'crash ur row only.' Authorities arrested the man for making terroristic threats, and he plans to plead not guilty.

   Why it matters

   In-flight security protocols require immediate action when crew members detect potential threats, leading the flight crew to silently squawk 7700 and turn the plane around. Incidents involving passenger communications about security breaches routinely trigger aggressive law enforcement responses on the ground. The suspect stated he drank alcohol prior to sending the text messages.

   What is confirmed

   • Dante Milne, 25, was arrested on Saturday after sending text messages referencing a hijacking on United Airlines Flight 1681.
   • The flight was traveling from Las Vegas to Newark, New Jersey, when it was forced to return to Harry Reid Airport.
   • A flight attendant spotted the passenger texting statements that included 'I'm gonna hijack this' and 'crash ur row only.'
   • The flight crew silently squawked 7700 and returned the plane to Las Vegas.
   • The suspect told police officers that the messages were banter with a co-worker and a drunken joke with no intention to harm anyone.

   What to watch next

   • Official court filings and formal arraignment details regarding the terroristic threats charge.
   • Potential statements or updates from United Airlines regarding passenger screening and security measures.
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. economictimes.indiatimes.com — Business News Live, Share Market News - Read Latest Finance News, IPO ...
   2. www.nytimes.com — The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos
   3. nypost.com — New York Post – Breaking News, Top Headlines, Photos & Videos
   4. Fox News — Man accused of threatening to hijack United flight says it was a drunken joke
   5. FOX5 Vegas — ‘I’m gonna hijack’: Man accused of making threats on flight tells police it was ‘banter’
   6. www.newsbreak.com — Cathie Wood Predicts Oil Crashing to $30-$35 a Barrel as EVs Take Over Transportation: Says Demand Is 'Peaking’
   7. www.breitbart.com — Israel / Middle East - Latest News
   8. The New York Times — Text Message Referencing a ‘Hijack’ Forces United Flight to Return to Vegas
   9. KLAS 8 News Now — 25-year-old man arrested for making ‘terroristic threats’ on flight leaving Las Vegas airport
   10. AP News — Man whose 'hijack' text caused plane to turn back said it was banter with co-worker, police say
   11. People.com — United Passenger Said He Drank Alcohol Before Allegedly Sending ‘Hijack’ Text
   12. www.winnipegfreepress.com — Bad Neighbour at Good Neighbour, Canadian landscapes at Soul Gallery, The Addams Family in Concert and other events happening in W....
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