New Jersey Man Accused Of Threatening To Hijack United Airlines Flight After Drinking

A New Jersey man accused of threatening to hijack a United Airlines flight told investigators he had been drinking before boarding and described the message as poorly worded banter with a coworker, according to an arrest report.

Dante Milne, 25, allegedly sent the text Saturday, Oct. 24, while aboard United Airlines Flight 1681, a Boeing 737 traveling from Las Vegas to Newark, New Jersey, with 150 passengers and six crew members.

"I'm gonna hijack this b---- and crash ur row only," Milne allegedly wrote in the message, according to an arrest report cited by FOX5 Vegas.

A flight attendant reportedly noticed the text shortly after takeoff and notified the captain. The crew secured the cockpit, and the aircraft returned to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, landing at approximately 11:05 p.m.

The incident delayed the flight overnight after the crew reached its permitted working hours. United Airlines said the aircraft departed for Newark the following morning.

United Airlines Flight Returns To Las Vegas After Alleged Hijacking Threat

According to the arrest report, Milne told investigators he had consumed a beer and several shots at an airport bar before boarding the flight.

He said he fell asleep aboard the aircraft and woke up to discover it was returning to Las Vegas. Milne initially acknowledged sending a text to someone on the plane but said he could not remember the messages.

When investigators asked specifically about the alleged hijacking threat, Milne characterized it as poorly worded "banter between coworkers," according to the report.

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He reportedly told detectives he never intended to take control of the aircraft and apologized for the incident.

Milne also told investigators he was returning home after spending three days in Las Vegas attending an apprenticeship training program involving underwater welding.

Authorities charged him with one count of making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism.

Pilot Describes Cockpit Lockdown After Flight Threat

Air traffic control audio previously obtained by ATC.com and reported by Fox News captured the pilot explaining why the aircraft was returning to Las Vegas.

The pilot told air traffic controllers that the passenger suspected of sending the threat apparently did not know the flight had turned around because of his message.

"The passenger does not know anything is going on," the pilot told air traffic controllers. "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."

The recording provided details of the crew's response as the aircraft headed back to the airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the flight crew had reported a "passenger disturbance." The agency said the incident remained under investigation.

United Airlines Confirms Security Concern Delayed Flight

Following the incident, United Airlines said the aircraft returned to Las Vegas to address a potential security concern.

"United Flight 1681 from Las Vegas to Newark on Saturday, Oct. 24, safely returned to Las Vegas to address a potential security concern," the airline previously told Fox News Digital.

"The flight was delayed overnight due to crew timeout, and departed for Newark this morning."

Milne was subsequently released on $10,000 bail, according to KLAS-TV.

His attorney told a judge Tuesday that Milne intended to plead not guilty. He is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 5.

The charge stems from the alleged threat made during the flight. The allegations have not been established as fact in court.