A United Airlines flight bound for New Jersey was forced to make an emergency return to Las Vegas on Saturday night after a passenger allegedly made terroristic threats, leading to his arrest and an overnight delay for more than 150 people on board.
United Flight 1681, a Boeing 737 destined for Newark Liberty International Airport, departed Harry Reid International Airport as scheduled before a disturbance broke out in the cabin. According to airline officials, the flight crew reported a “potential security concern” shortly after takeoff, prompting the pilots to turn the aircraft around. The plane landed safely back in Las Vegas at approximately 11:05 p.m. local time.
Upon arrival, the aircraft was met by officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD). On Monday, Oct. 26, law enforcement officials confirmed that 25-year-old Dante Milne was identified as the individual responsible for the disturbance. Milne was detained immediately upon landing and faces terrorism-related charges for allegedly making threats of violence while the flight was airborne.
There were 150 passengers and six crew members on the Boeing 737 during the incident. Authorities reported that despite the nature of the threats, no injuries occurred during the disturbance or the subsequent emergency landing. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a preliminary statement confirming the safe return of the flight and announced that a formal investigation into the security breach is underway.
The disruption caused significant logistics issues for the remaining travelers. United Airlines confirmed that the flight could not resume its journey to Newark on Saturday night due to a “crew timeout,” a safety regulation that prevents flight crews from working beyond a set number of hours. As a result, the flight was delayed overnight, and the passengers finally departed for New Jersey the following morning on a different flight schedule.
Milne was booked into the Clark County Detention Center following his arrest. Court records indicate that he has since posted bond on his $10,000 bail and was released from custody pending his next legal appearance. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, Oct. 27, to face the formal charges related to the terroristic threats.
Airport officials at Harry Reid International confirmed that the incident did not cause broader disruptions to other scheduled departures or arrivals at the terminal during the late-night hours.
