A United Airlines flight bound for New Jersey turned back to Las Vegas on Saturday after an apparent threat to hijack the aircraft was reported.
United Flight 1681 had 150 passengers and six crew members aboard when it departed Harry Reid International Airport for Newark Liberty International Airport on Oct. 24. During the flight, a flight attendant reportedly saw one passenger sending messages that referenced taking control of the plane.
The flight attendant avoided confronting the passenger and immediately notified the pilot, according to authorities.
“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 an air traffic controller soon after takeoff, CBS News reported.
When the controller asked whether the passenger was cooperating or had been restrained, the pilot replied that there was “no restraint” because the traveler was “unaware” of the situation.
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The Federal Aviation Administration said United Flight 1681 landed safely at Harry Reid International Airport at about 11:05 p.m. local time Saturday, Oct. 24, after the crew reported a passenger disturbance.
Following the aircraft’s return to Las Vegas, authorities removed all passengers from the plane and conducted a thorough inspection of both the aircraft and those aboard.
Passengers were later transferred to another flight, which left Harry Reid International Airport on Sunday morning.
Authorities have not identified the passenger. The FAA is continuing to investigate the incident.