A United Airlines flight bound for New Jersey made an unexpected return to Las Vegas after a passenger reportedly threatened to hijack the aircraft.
The incident triggered an emergency response and left passengers facing an unexpected delay.
United Flight 1681 was carrying 150 passengers and six crew members when the crew received the warning.
Advertisement
The aircraft had departed Harry Reid International Airport for Newark Liberty International Airport on Saturday, October 24.
According to reports, a flight attendant noticed a passenger sending messages about taking control of the plane.
The crew member alerted the pilot, who decided to return the aircraft to Las Vegas.
The pilot reportedly told an air traffic controller that the crew acted quickly after receiving the warning.
“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 pilot said, according to CBS News.
When the air traffic controller asked whether the passenger was cooperating or restrained, the pilot replied that the traveler showed “no restraint” because “he’s unaware.”
The aircraft landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport at about 11:05 p.m. local time on Saturday.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the return in a statement.
United Airlines
“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 agency said.
Authorities also arranged inspections of the aircraft and passengers removed from the flight following the incident.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the airport and arrested 25-year-old Dante Milne, according to PEOPLE.
He was arrested on suspicion of making threats or sharing false information about acts of terrorism.
The allegations had not been established as proven facts in the information provided.
Meanwhile, affected passengers were placed on another flight to continue their journey to New Jersey.
The replacement flight departed Las Vegas on Sunday morning.
