United Airlines flight returns to Las Vegas after passenger threatens hijack

A United Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Newark was forced to return to Harry Reid Airport on Saturday after a crew member reported that a passenger was sending text messages indicating an intention to hijack the aircraft, according to aviation outlet Simple Flying. Air traffic control recordings posted on X showed the passenger was unaware of the emergency return, while law enforcement awaited the plane on the ground.

The pilot of United flight 1681, a Boeing 737 MAX 8, announced that the cockpit entered a lockdown following the crew member’s report. The aircraft’s squawk code was changed to 7700, the general emergency signal, rather than the hijack code 7500. Because the MAX 8 lacks a fuel-dump system, the plane burned off excess fuel on a longer route before landing, resulting in an overweight condition. The pilot warned air traffic control that the aircraft might require the full length of Runway 26L for a safe landing.

The plane touched down without incident, and no injuries were reported among the 150 passengers and six crew members, Fox 5 Las Vegas said. The Federal Aviation Administration said it will investigate the event. United confirmed the flight departed for Newark again on Sunday after addressing the "potential security concern."