Overview
- A United Airlines Boeing 737 turned back to Harry Reid International Airport after a flight attendant saw a passenger text a message that referenced taking control of the plane, and the crew reported a lockdown.
- The message, recorded in the arrest report as “I’m gonna hijack this b**** and crash ur row only,” prompted the pilot to tell air traffic control the aircraft was returning to Las Vegas on Saturday, Oct. 24.
- Crew followed safety steps by locking the cockpit, landing the jet, deplaning 150 passengers for a full inspection, and delaying travel until the next morning because of crew duty-time limits.
- Las Vegas police charged 25-year-old Dante Milne with making threats or conveying false information about an act of terrorism; he posted $10,000 bail, plans to plead not guilty, and is due in court on Jan. 5.
- Federal regulators will investigate the incident, which highlights how routine crew alerts and diversion procedures are used to manage perceived threats and could shape airline responses to unruly or threatening passenger behavior.