By Fatma Younis
A United Airlines flight bound for Newark, New Jersey, was diverted back to Las Vegas shortly after takeoff Saturday night after a flight attendant spotted a passenger's text message stating he was going to hijack the plane. The sender, identified as 25-year-old Dante Milne of Woodridge, New Jersey, was taken into custody and charged with making a threat or offering false information in reference to an act of terrorism.
Flight diverted after text message spotted
The incident occurred during boarding when a flight attendant noticed two passengers exchanging messages that included derogatory remarks about other passengers and crew. She later saw an incoming message on one passenger's phone that began with "I'm gonna hijack," according to a Las Vegas police report. The full message read: "I'm gonna hijack this [expletive] and crash ur row only." After the aircraft passed 10,000 feet, the captain was notified and the decision was made to return to Las Vegas, consistent with sterile flight deck procedures. Audio recordings capture the pilot informing air traffic control of the reported text message.
Passenger claims message was workplace banter
Milne, an underwater welder who was in Las Vegas for a three-day apprenticeship training program, told officers he had consumed beer and shots at an airport bar and intended to sleep during the flight. He acknowledged exchanging texts with the other passenger, whom he had met at the training program, but initially said he could not recall the content. When questioned about the hijacking message, Milne characterized the wording as poorly stated and suggested the conversation involved banter between coworkers. He denied intending to hijack the aircraft, crash it, or harm anyone.
Charges and legal response
Milne was charged with making a threat or offering false information in reference to an act of terrorism. His attorney, James Gallo, told The Associated Press that he was still evaluating the case but that Milne plans to plead not guilty.
Context of similar incidents
The case follows a pattern of passengers facing serious charges for jokes about bombs or hijacking. In 2022, a man was arrested in Chicago for joking about having a bomb while checking his bag. In 2017, a Turkish Airlines flight was diverted after a passenger renamed a Wi-Fi hotspot "bomb on board." Last summer, an Allegiant Air flight made an emergency landing after a passenger claimed his laptop was a bomb. Such jokes can constitute a felony in most jurisdictions, and the aviation industry remains on high alert following recent incidents including an alleged attack on a FlyDubai captain by a co-pilot.
