Man pleads not guilty after threatening to hijack United flight
A 25-year-old passenger told investigators he was drunk and joking with a coworker when he sent the text that forced a Las Vegas to Newark flight to turn back.
By Layla Richardson ·
Dante Milne, 25, pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday regarding his alleged threat to hijack a United Airlines plane.
Milne allegedly sent a text message on Saturday, October 24, while aboard United Flight 1681. The Boeing 737 was traveling from Las Vegas to Newark, New Jersey, carrying 150 passengers and six crew members.
According to an arrest report cited by FOX5 Vegas, the message read, "I’m gonna hijack this b, and crash ur row only." A flight attendant spotted the text shortly after takeoff. The crew alerted the captain, who secured the cockpit and diverted the aircraft back to Harry Reid International Airport. The plane landed at approximately 11:05 p.m.
United Airlines delayed the flight overnight because the crew reached their permitted working hours. The aircraft departed for Newark the following morning. The airline stated the return to Las Vegas was to address a "potential security concern." The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the crew reported a "passenger disturbance" and that the incident remains under investigation.
Milne told investigators he had consumed a beer and several shots at an airport bar before boarding. He said he fell asleep during the flight and woke up to find the plane returning to Las Vegas. Initially, Milne acknowledged texting someone aboard but said he could not remember the specific messages. When asked directly about the hijacking threat, he described it as poorly worded "banter between coworkers." He stated he never intended to take control of the aircraft and apologized for the incident.
The passenger was unaware of the diversion. Air traffic control audio obtained by ATC.com captured the pilot explaining that the passenger did not know anything was happening. The pilot noted that the flight attendant saw the text and called him, leading to a cockpit lockdown. The pilot added that the passenger was compliant and under no restraint because he was unaware of the situation.
Milne told detectives he was returning home after spending three days in Las Vegas for an underwater welding apprenticeship training program. He was released on $10,000 bail. His attorney told a judge on Tuesday that Milne intended to plead not guilty. Milne is scheduled to return to court on January 5.
