The Newshound

Passenger accused of forcing a United flight to turn back with a hijack text claims it was drunken 'banter'

From the Newshound archive · first published 26 October 2026 · last updated 28 October 2026.

A flight attendant on United Flight 1681 spotted a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft; the Boeing 737 looped twice to burn fuel before landing back at Las Vegas.
A flight attendant on United Flight 1681 spotted a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft; the Boeing 737 looped twice to burn fuel before landing back at Las Vegas.

Dante Milne, 25, a trainee welder from Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, told Las Vegas investigators he had downed a beer and several shots at the airport bar before boarding United Flight 1681 on Saturday night, then fell asleep — only to wake and find the Boeing 737 heading back to Vegas 15 minutes into the flight.

Milne claimed the text — 'I'm gonna hijack this b**** and crash ur row only' — was poorly worded 'banter between coworkers'.

The flight attendant who spotted the message alerted the captain, who locked down the cockpit and diverted without confronting Milne, who remained unaware until landing.

Milne, charged with making threats concerning an act of terrorism, was arrested on the tarmac; all 150 passengers and six crew were evacuated while the plane was searched.

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