A passenger accused of forcing a United Airlines flight to turn back shortly after take-off has claimed a text message that sparked a security alert was nothing more than drunken “banter.”
Dante Milne, 25, a trainee welder from New Jersey, was arrested after allegedly sending a message while aboard a flight from Las Vegas to Newark that read: “I’m gonna hijack this b**** and crash ur row only”.
According to reports in the United States, Mr Milne later told investigators he had been drinking before boarding the aircraft and was joking with a friend sitting elsewhere on the plane. He reportedly said he had consumed a beer and several shots at an airport bar before falling asleep during the flight, The Mirror reports.
Flight turned back after alert
Mr Milne is said to have woken to discover the aircraft was heading back to Las Vegas, unaware that his message had prompted crew members to raise concerns about a potential security threat.
Mr Milne claimed that he initially texted someone on the flight, but did not remember what the message was about. He later claimed the hijacking message was simply “banter between coworkers,” the arrest file is reported to have said.
He added that he never intended to hijack the plane, and that he was sorry for the entire situation unfolding. Mr Milne was on his way home after a three-day trip in Las Vegas for a work apprenticeship training program for underwater welding, he told detectives.
Crew alerted the pilot
During the flight, an eagle-eyed flight attendant noticed a passenger sending messages referring to taking control of the plane and alerted the pilot.
United Flight 1681 was carrying 150 passengers and six crew members from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. The pilot made the decision to make a u-turn and return to Las Vegas.
Air traffic control was told shortly after the plane took off: “The flight attendant saw him texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft. They called me. We went into lockdown, and we returned to Vegas,” CBS News reports.
Arrest and investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration said: “United Airlines Flight 1681 returned safely to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas around 11:05 p.m. local time on Saturday, Oct. 24, after the crew reported a passenger disturbance. The flight was headed to Newark Liberty International Airport. The FAA will investigate. Contact the airline and local authorities for more information.”
Once the aircraft landed, all passengers were evacuated and a comprehensive sweep of the plane was made by authorities. Mr Milne was arrested on suspicion of making threats or conveying false information concerning acts of terrorism, according to PEOPLE.
United Airlines said: "United flight 1681 from Las Vegas to Newark on Saturday, Oct. 24, safely returned to Las Vegas to address a potential security concern. The flight was delayed overnight due to crew timeout, and departed for Newark on Sunday morning."
