Man allegedly texts about hijacking his United Airlines flight to Newark. Then he finds out why the plane is suddenly turning around

A United Airlines passenger was reportedly unaware that his flight was heading back to the airport after a flight attendant allegedly spotted a disturbing message on his phone, according to People. The text reportedly suggested he intended to hijack the aircraft, prompting the crew to take immediate security precautions and turn the plane around.

The data from FlightAware shows that the plane took off from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas just before 11 p.m. local time on Saturday, October 24, and was scheduled to land at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey about five hours later. According to audio obtained by CBS News, pilots could be heard saying that “The flight attendant saw him texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft.”

One of the pilots later reported that the crew had placed the flight into “lockdown” before returning to Las Vegas. Passengers were subsequently flown to Newark the following day, turning what should have been a routine journey into a much longer trip.

The passenger was unaware

Further audio obtained by ATC.com suggested that the passenger was unaware the aircraft was heading back to Las Vegas. “The passenger does not know anything is going on,” the pilot claimed. He added that there is “no restraint” and that the “passenger is compliant because he’s unaware.”

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department arrested a 25-year-old man, Dante Milne, on suspicion of making threats or conveying false information concerning acts of terrorism. He was apparently also booked in the Clark County Detention Center. The Federal Aviation Administration also issued a statement mentioning that it is investigating the case after receiving reports of a “passenger disturbance” on the flight.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there is a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, or both, for “conveyance of false information regarding attempts or alleged attempts to destroy, damage, or disable aircraft, aircraft-related facilities, or motor vehicles and their related facilities.” The statute is frequently referred to as the “bomb hoax” statute.

Plus, “statements which impart or convey false information regarding attempts to place or the placing of explosives aboard aircraft (but not in aircraft facilities such as airports) may also be punishable.” The United Airlines flight was delayed overnight and took off later the next morning with 150 passengers and six crew members on board. There were no injuries or casualties in the case, and all the passengers remained safe.