Panic ensues after passenger sends message from plane: “I’m going to hijack and crash it”; flight forced to return

New Delhi. A threat to hijack and crash an aircraft in the United States has sparked alarm regarding aviation security. A text message sent by a passenger aboard a United Airlines flight—en route from Las Vegas to Newark, New Jersey—alerted security agencies. The message contained a threat to hijack the plane and crash it by slamming it into a row of seats. Given the gravity of the situation, the pilot decided to return the aircraft to Las Vegas. Upon arrival, police took 25-year-old Dante Milne into custody.

According to media reports, Milne told the police that he had sent the message to a colleague as a joke. He claimed he had no intention of hijacking the plane, crashing it, or causing harm to anyone. Nevertheless, he has been charged with making a threat related to a terrorist act and providing false information.

Flight attendant spots the hijacking-related message
According to a police report, a flight attendant observed two passengers communicating via text message while boarding the aircraft. Their exchange included derogatory remarks directed at other passengers and the flight attendants.

Shortly thereafter, the flight attendant noticed a message that began with the words, “I’m gonna hijack.” The attendant immediately alerted the lead flight attendant. The passenger who sent the message was later identified as Dante Milne.

The police report states that the message mentioned hijacking the aircraft and crashing it by slamming it into a row of seats. It also contained offensive language directed at the aircraft itself. Captain Informed After Crossing 10,000-Foot Altitude
According to the police, the captain was informed about the threatening message only after the aircraft had climbed past an altitude of 10,000 feet (approximately 3,050 meters). Reports indicate that this procedure is consistent with established cockpit security protocols.

Following this, the pilot decided to return the aircraft to Las Vegas. In a recorded communication with Air Traffic Control, the pilot can be heard stating that a flight attendant had reported a message threatening a hijacking, and that the plane was turning back.

Upon the flight’s return to Las Vegas, police took Milne into custody.

Accused Claims It Was a Joke Among Colleagues
According to the police, Dante Milne is a resident of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey. He had traveled to Las Vegas to attend a three-day professional training program; he works in underwater welding.

Milne told authorities that he had consumed beer and liquor at an airport bar and intended to sleep during the flight. He claimed that when he woke up, he discovered the plane was returning to Las Vegas.

He admitted to exchanging text messages with another passenger—someone he had met during the training program. When questioned by the police about the hijacking-related message, Milne argued that his words were poorly chosen and that the exchange was merely a joke between colleagues. He denied any intent to harm anyone or to hijack and crash the aircraft.

Dante Milne has been charged with making threats or providing false information related to a terrorist act. His attorney, James Gallo, stated that he is currently reviewing the case and that Milne intends to plead not guilty in court. Flights have been turned back in the past due to threats made in jest.
Security agencies take any threat involving a bomb or a hijacking on an aircraft very seriously. In such instances, even when individuals have claimed they were only joking, they have still faced legal action.

2022, Chicago: A passenger claimed there was a bomb in their bag while it was being checked.

2017, Turkish Airlines: A flight had to be turned back after a passenger named their Wi-Fi hotspot “Bomb on Board.”

Last year, Allegiant Air: A flight had to make an emergency landing after a passenger told another person that there was a bomb in their laptop.