Man accused of hijacking threat says it was drunken joke

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 07:44 · Archive

A United Airlines passenger accused of threatening to hijack a flight from Las Vegas to Newark said he was drunk and joking with a coworker.

Dante Milne, 25, from New Jersey, was arrested on Saturday after allegedly sending a threatening text while aboard United Airlines Flight 1681, travelling from Las Vegas to Newark with 150 passengers and six crew members. The message, spotted by a flight attendant shortly after departure, read 'I'm gonna hijack this b---- and crash ur row only'. The pilot secured the cockpit and diverted the aircraft back to Harry Reid International Airport, where it landed at approximately 11:05 p.m.

Milne told investigators he had consumed a beer and several shots at an airport bar before boarding the flight. He said he then fell asleep and woke to discover the aircraft was returning to Las Vegas. Initially, he acknowledged texting someone aboard the flight but said he could not remember the messages. When asked specifically about the alleged hijacking threat, he described it as poorly worded 'banter between coworkers'. The Mirror reports that Milne claimed he never meant to hijack the plane and said he was sorry for how the situation unfolded.

Milne had been on his way home after a three-day trip to Las Vegas for a work apprenticeship training programme in underwater welding. He has been charged with one count of making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism. The flight was delayed overnight after the crew reached its permitted working hours and departed for Newark the following morning.

How it is being reported

• United passenger claims 'hijacking' text which forced plane's U-turn was 'just banter'Dante Milne's text message has been revealed after he was arrested on suspicion of making threats or conveying false information concerning acts of terrorism once a flight attendant noticed him sending messages referring to taking control of the planeThe Mirror · 28 Oct, 07:26
• Man accused of threatening to hijack United flight says it was a drunken jokeCockpit audio captures the pilot explaining the diverted United Airlines flight while Dante Milne allegedly slept, unaware he caused the emergency.Fox News · 28 Oct, 00:50

In this story: Dante Milne · United Airlines · Las Vegas · Newark · New Jersey · Harry Reid International Airport

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log