NJ man calls hijack threat banter after United flight diverted

“I’m gonna hijack this b—-”: United Flight 1681 Diverted After Text Message Discovery

When Dante Milne boarded United Airlines Flight 1681 on Saturday, October 24, 2026, he was simply returning home to New Jersey after a three-day apprenticeship training program in underwater welding. He had spent his time at an airport bar consuming a beer and several shots before settling into his seat on the Boeing 737, according to an arrest report. But what started as an alleged text message exchange quickly derailed a transcontinental journey carrying 150 passengers and six crew members from Las Vegas to Newark.

Shortly after departure, a flight attendant spotted a troubling message on Milne’s phone. “I’m gonna hijack this b—- and crash ur row only,” Milne allegedly wrote. The crew immediately alerted the captain, who secured the cockpit and turned the aircraft around. Flight 1681 landed safely back at Harry Reid International Airport at approximately 11:05 p.m., where law enforcement met the plane.

The Disconnect Between the Cockpit and Cabin

Air traffic control audio captured the pilot explaining the unusual situation as the plane circled back to Nevada. The pilot noted that the passenger suspected of making the threat appeared entirely oblivious to the fact that his actions had triggered a total security lockdown.

‘I’m gonna hijack’: Man accused of making threats on flight tells police it was ‘banter’

“The passenger does not know anything is going on,” the pilot told air traffic controllers, according to audio obtained by ATC.com and reported by Fox News. “The flight attendant saw him texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft and called me and we went lockdown. … No restraint, passenger is compliant because he’s unaware.”

Milne later told investigators that he fell asleep almost immediately after takeoff and woke up only when the plane was already touching down in Las Vegas. When questioned about the text, he acknowledged communicating with someone aboard the flight but claimed he could not remember the specific wording. Confronted directly with the hijacking threat, Milne described it as poorly worded “banter between coworkers,” according to the arrest report.

Man arrested at Harry Reid Airport after alleged text threat to hijack United jet

He insisted he never intended to take control of the aircraft and offered an apology for the chaos that ensued.

New Jersey Man Faces Terrorism Threat Charge

Federal and local authorities charged the 25-year-old New Jersey man with one count of making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism. Following his arrest, Milne was released on a $10,000 bail.

United flight LOCKED DOWN over alleged hijacking threats

During a court appearance, Milne’s defense attorney informed a judge that his client intends to plead not guilty to the charge. Milne is scheduled to return to court on January 5 to face the allegations.

United Airlines confirmed that the flight was delayed overnight because the flight crew reached its permitted working hours, known as a crew timeout. Passengers ultimately resumed their journey to Newark the following morning. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed that the flight crew reported a passenger disturbance, prompting an ongoing federal investigation into the security breach.