Man Accused of Threatening to Hijack Flight Claims Drunken Joke
Authorities allege Dante Milne sent a text threatening to crash a United Airlines flight, but he told investigators it was poorly worded banter.
A New Jersey man accused of threatening to hijack a United Airlines flight over the weekend told investigators he had been drinking and described the message as poorly worded banter with a coworker, according to an arrest report.
Dante Milne, 25, allegedly sent the threatening message Saturday while aboard United Airlines Flight 1681, a Boeing 737 carrying 150 passengers and six crew members from Las Vegas to Newark, New Jersey.
"I’m gonna hijack this b---- and crash ur row only," Milne allegedly wrote, according to an arrest report cited by FOX5 Vegas.
The message was reportedly spotted by a flight attendant shortly after departure. The crew alerted the captain, who diverted the aircraft back to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, where it landed around 11:05 p.m.
Milne told investigators he had consumed alcohol at an airport bar before boarding the flight. He stated he later fell asleep and woke up to discover the aircraft was returning to Las Vegas. When questioned about the alleged threat, he described it as "banter between coworkers" and said he never intended to take control of the aircraft. He has since apologized for the incident.
Authorities charged Milne with one count of making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism. He was released on $10,000 bail, and his attorney indicated he intends to plead not guilty. Milne is scheduled to appear in court again on January 5.
United Airlines confirmed the flight returned to Las Vegas to address a "potential security concern." The flight was delayed overnight due to crew timeout restrictions and departed for Newark the following morning.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the flight crew reported a "passenger disturbance."