The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Man accused of threatening to hijack United flight says it was a drunken joke
Cockpit audio captured a pilot explaining the diverted United Airlines flight while Dante Milne allegedly slept, unaware he caused the emergency.
A New Jersey man was arrested after allegedly sending a text threatening to hijack a United Airlines flight while aboard Flight 1681 from Las Vegas to Newark. The message was described by authorities as a poorly worded banter text between coworkers, with the sender later saying he had been drinking.
The flight, a Boeing 737 carrying 150 passengers and six crew, diverted to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas after the threat was observed by a flight attendant and reported to the captain. The aircraft landed around 11:05 p.m. local time, with the crew citing a security concern as the reason for the return.
Investigators say the man, Dante Milne, told them he had consumed beer and several shots at an airport bar before boarding. He reportedly fell asleep on the flight and woke to find the plane returning to Las Vegas, later describing the text as banter rather than a real intent to take control of the aircraft.
Milne was charged with one count of making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism and was released on bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on January 5, with his attorney indicating a not guilty plea.