United Passenger Who Forced Newark-Bound Flight to Return to Vegas over 'Hijacking Threat' Blames Alcohol
A 25-year-old United Airlines passenger, Dante Milne, was arrested after sending a text message to a fellow traveler stating he would hijack the aircraft and crash their row, which prompted the flight from Las Vegas to Newark to turn back shortly after takeoff. The incident occurred on a Boeing 737 carrying 150 passengers and six crew members, leading to a security lockdown and a return to Harry Reid International Airport. Milne, who described himself as an underwater welding apprentice on a work trip, claimed to police that the message was drunken banter resulting from consuming alcohol at an airport bar prior to boarding. He was charged with making threats concerning an act of terrorism and pleaded not guilty in court, where his attorney noted the case involves a misunderstanding rather than malicious intent. The defendant has been released on bail pending further legal proceedings scheduled for early next year.
A United Airlines passenger facing federal charges for threatening to hijack a commercial jet told investigators that his alarming text message was merely drunken banter with a coworker. Dante Milne, 25, was arrested on Saturday after a flight bound for Newark, New Jersey, returned to Las Vegas following a security threat. The incident occurred just 15 minutes after takeoff from Harry Reid International Airport. According to a criminal complaint, Milne sent a text to a friend seated elsewhere on the plane that read, “I’m gonna hijack this bitch and crash ur row only.” A flight attendant observed the exchange during boarding, which included derogatory remarks about other travelers and staff. Later, she saw an incoming message beginning with “I’m gonna hijack” and alerted the lead attendant. After confirming seating assignments, the crew identified Milne as the sender. The report described the message as a first-person declaration of intended violence involving hijacking the aircraft and crashing the recipient’s row. Both individuals were passengers on the flight. The captain was notified once the aircraft cleared 10,000 feet, consistent with sterile cockpit procedures. Audio recordings from air traffic control show the pilot informing controllers that a flight attendant reported the text message, prompting the decision to return to Las Vegas. The Boeing 737 carried 150 passengers and six crew members. Milne, a resident of Woodridge, New Jersey, was sleeping when the diversion began. He told detectives he had consumed beer and shots at an airport bar prior to boarding, planning to rest during the journey. He explained that he was in Las Vegas for a three-day apprenticeship training program related to his job as an underwater welder. When questioned, Milne admitted to exchanging texts with the other passenger, whom he had met at the training program. Initially unable to recall specific content, he later characterized the wording as poorly stated banter between coworkers. He denied any intent to hijack the aircraft, crash it, or harm anyone, apologizing for the situation. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police arrested Milne on the tarmac after he deplaned. No confrontation occurred inside the cabin. He faces one count of making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism. Reports conflict regarding his bail amount, with figures cited at either $10,000 or $20,000. He has been released from the Clark County Detention Center. His attorney, James Gallo, stated on Tuesday that Milne intends to plead not guilty. The defense is currently evaluating the case. Milne’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 5. Similar incidents have occurred recently. In 2022, a man was arrested in Chicago for joking about a bomb while checking baggage. In 2017, a Turkish Airlines flight was diverted after a passenger named their Wi-Fi hotspot “bomb on board.” Last summer, an Allegiant Air flight made an emergency landing after a 27-year-old claimed his laptop was a bomb. Aviation security remains heightened following an incident less than a month ago where a co-pilot on a FlyDubai flight allegedly attacked the captain with an axe before passengers intervened. Making such threats constitutes a felony in many jurisdictions.
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Dante Milne, 25, was arrested in Las Vegas after a United Airlines flight to Newark was diverted back to the departure city due to a threatening text message sent by him. Police reports indicate that a flight attendant observed Milne exchanging messages with a co-worker, including a statement claiming he would hijack and crash the plane, which triggered security protocols once the aircraft reached cruising altitude. Milne, who described himself as an underwater welder participating in a training program, claimed the incident was misunderstood banter and denied any intent to cause harm. He has been charged with making threats related to an act of terrorism and intends to plead not guilty. The article notes that similar incidents involving false bomb threats or hijacking jokes have resulted in arrests in recent years.
Bias read (Center): The article covers a criminal incident involving a specific individual and law enforcement response. While it involves legal charges, the subject matter is a standard crime report rather than a contested political issue, policy debate, or partisan conflict. The tone is factual, relying on police and
Why factuality (95): This article aligns closely with the primary source regarding the core events (diversion, arrest, plea, attorney name). It adds specific details (full text, altitude, location) that are plausible and likely sourced from the police report mentioned, maintaining high fidelity to the narrative establis
Why objectivity (90): The tone is professional and journalistic. It presents the defendant's statement ('banter') alongside the official charges and police findings without injecting editorial opinion or emotionally charged adjectives.
A 25-year-old United Airlines passenger, Dante Milne, was arrested after sending a text message to a fellow traveler stating he would hijack the aircraft and crash their row, which prompted the flight from Las Vegas to Newark to turn back shortly after takeoff. The incident occurred on a Boeing 737 carrying 150 passengers and six crew members, leading to a security lockdown and a return to Harry Reid International Airport. Milne, who described himself as an underwater welding apprentice on a work trip, claimed to police that the message was drunken banter resulting from consuming alcohol at an airport bar prior to boarding. He was charged with making threats concerning an act of terrorism and pleaded not guilty in court, where his attorney noted the case involves a misunderstanding rather than malicious intent. The defendant has been released on bail pending further legal proceedings scheduled for early next year.
Bias read (Center): The article covers a specific criminal incident involving a private individual and airline safety protocols. While the headline uses sensationalist phrasing ('Blames Alcohol'), the body text relies heavily on direct quotes from the suspect and factual reporting from local news outlets regarding the
Why factuality (85): The article accurately reflects the primary source regarding the court date, plea, and basic facts of the arrest. However, it introduces specific details (exact text content, alcohol consumption, job description, aircraft type, passenger count) that are not present in the provided primary source doc
Why objectivity (40): The headline uses sensationalist language ('Blames Alcohol') and the body relies on informal phrasing like 'drunken banter.' The framing emphasizes the defendant's excuse rather than presenting a neutral account of the legal proceedings and police findings.
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