United flight returns to Las Vegas after crew spots passenger's threatening text
A United Airlines flight bound for Newark turned back to Las Vegas on Oct. 24 after a flight attendant observed a passenger sending a text that referenced hijacking, prompting an FAA investigation.
United Airlines Flight 1681 departed Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas on Oct. 24 bound for Newark Liberty International Airport with about 150 passengers and six crew members. Less than 20 minutes after takeoff, a flight attendant reported seeing a text on a passenger’s phone that mentioned hijacking the aircraft. The crew alerted the pilot, who notified air traffic control and placed the plane in a lockdown procedure before returning to Las Vegas.
"The passenger does not know anything is going on. The flight attendant saw him texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft. They called me, we went into lockdown, and we returned to Vegas," the pilot told air traffic controllers.
The aircraft landed safely at around 11:05 p.m. local time. Law-enforcement officers met the plane at the gate, and all passengers were deplaned for a security inspection. The airline arranged an alternate flight for the travelers the following morning. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a statement confirming the return and said it will investigate the incident. The identity of the passenger has not been released, and the investigation remains ongoing.