Crime

Las Vegas Police Identify Man in United Flight Hijacking Threat

A United Airlines flight was diverted minutes after takeoff due to a reported terroristic threat.

By The Unbiased Times AI

October 26, 2026 • 9:23 PM• Updated October 26, 2026 • 9:38 PM

Bias Check:

Sources aligned — no significant bias detected

/ 5

A United Airlines flight carrying 150 passengers was forced to return to Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas less than 20 minutes after takeoff on Saturday, October 24, following a report of a passenger making a terroristic threat.

The Boeing 737 MAX 8, operating as United Flight 1681 from Las Vegas to Newark Liberty International Airport, was diverted after a flight attendant reported seeing a passenger texting about hijacking the aircraft, according to air traffic control recordings. The aircraft’s squawk code changed to 7700, signaling a general emergency, before it returned to Las Vegas.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) confirmed the arrest of Dante Milne, 25, on suspicion of making threats or conveying false information concerning acts of terrorism. Authorities stated that the passenger was unaware of the emergency and remained compliant during the diversion. The flight was delayed overnight and departed for Newark the following morning.

Immediate Response & Official Actions

United Airlines confirmed the diversion in a statement, citing a "potential security concern" that required the flight to return to Las Vegas. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launched an investigation into the incident, while the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) were notified. All passengers were removed from the aircraft upon landing and underwent additional screening before being rebooked on a later flight.

Air traffic control audio recordings obtained by CBS News captured the pilot informing Las Vegas controllers that the crew had initiated a "lockdown" following the flight attendant’s report. The pilot stated that the passenger was unaware of the situation and had not been restrained. The aircraft’s fuel-dump limitations required an extended route to burn off excess fuel before landing, as the plane was overweight for an early touchdown.

Legal & Investigative Developments

Milne was arrested by LVMPD and charged with making a threat or providing false information regarding an act of terrorism, a felony offense under Nevada law. His initial court appearance was scheduled for Tuesday, October 26. An attorney listed for Milne did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The FAA confirmed it was investigating the incident, while the LVMPD stated that the threat was deemed credible enough to warrant a full emergency response. The TSA also reviewed the case as part of its standard protocols for terroristic threats aboard commercial flights.

Broader Context & Recent Precedents

This incident occurred less than a month after the October 2 attempted hijacking of flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, in which an Omani pilot allegedly struck the captain with an axe before being subdued by passengers. The Israeli Transportation Ministry subsequently barred entry to Israel for one of United’s pilots due to suspected Iran sympathies, prompting stricter foreign crew background checks.

In May 2025, another United Airlines flight bound for Minneapolis made an emergency landing in Madison, Wisconsin, after a passenger allegedly attempted to storm the cockpit. The FAA has not yet released a final report on that incident.

Flight Operations & Passenger Impact

The diverted flight required an overnight delay due to crew time-out regulations, which limit pilot and flight attendant working hours. United Airlines stated that the flight eventually departed for Newark on Sunday morning with the same passengers. The airline did not disclose whether additional security measures were implemented for the rescheduled flight.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft’s rapid return to Las Vegas, with the diversion occurring shortly after departure. The FAA emphasized that no injuries or physical altercations were reported during the incident.

Ongoing Investigations & Unanswered Questions

The FAA and LVMPD have not provided further details on the specific content of the passenger’s text messages or the motivation behind the alleged threat. Authorities have not indicated whether additional charges are pending. The investigation remains active, with no timeline for completion provided.

Narrative Analysis

How different sources frame this story

Emphasis on Security Protocol and Credible Threat Response

Sources: westernjournal.com · jpost.com

Focus

Prioritizes the immediate actions taken by the flight crew and authorities, framing the incident as a justified response to a credible threat.

Evidence Subset

The squawk code 7700, the flight attendant’s observation of text messages, the lockdown procedure, and the arrest of Dante Milne are presented as definitive proof of a legitimate security concern.

Silhouette (Omissions)

Downplays or omits discussions about potential overreaction, the lack of physical evidence beyond the text messages, and the passenger’s unawareness of the situation.

Questions Surrounding Proportionality and Due Process

Sources: abcnews.go.com · independent.co.uk

Focus

Centers on the proportionality of the response and the legal process, raising concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the passenger’s intent or evidence.

Evidence Subset

The passenger’s unawareness of the emergency, the reliance on a single flight attendant’s observation, and the overnight delay for passengers are used to question whether the response was excessive.

Silhouette (Omissions)

Minimizes emphasis on the legal charges against Milne or the FAA’s investigation, focusing instead on the disruption caused to passengers.

Broader Implications for Aviation Security and Policy

Sources: foxnews.com

Focus

Highlights the systemic impact of such incidents on airline operations, crew regulations, and passenger experiences, framing the event as part of a larger pattern.

Evidence Subset

The overnight delay due to crew time-out rules, the comparison to the May 2025 cockpit breach attempt, and the mention of stricter foreign crew background checks after the flydubai incident are used to underscore broader concerns.

Silhouette (Omissions)

Does not delve deeply into the specifics of the threat or the passenger’s background, instead framing the incident as part of a recurring issue in aviation security.

Cross-Narrative Analysis

How the narratives compare

The primary divergence lies in the interpretation of the incident’s legitimacy and proportionality. Narrative A presents the response as a necessary and justified action, while Narrative B questions whether the threat was overstated or mishandled. Narrative C shifts focus to the operational and policy implications, treating the incident as part of a systemic issue. A reader exposed only to Narrative A would miss the skepticism about the passenger’s intent or the disruption caused to passengers, while a reader of Narrative B might overlook the legal charges or the FAA’s investigation. Narrative C’s emphasis on systemic issues could lead readers to view the incident as part of a pattern rather than an isolated event.

This analysis identifies how media sources emphasize different aspects of the same story. No narrative is labeled as more accurate than others.

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