Major Airline Delays 150 Passengers After Las Vegas U-Turn
A United Airlines flight carrying 150 passengers returned to Las Vegas after the crew reported a security concern in the cabin. The plane landed safely late…
A United Airlines flight carrying 150 passengers returned to Las Vegas after the crew reported a potential security concern late Saturday night. The major airline delays 150 passengers experienced continued overnight, with the plane departing for Newark the following morning.
United Flight 1681 had just left Harry Reid International Airport when the crew flagged the concern aboard the Boeing 737, which also carried six crew members. The aircraft landed back in Las Vegas at roughly 11:05 p.m.; no injuries were reported.
The disruption meant passengers did not continue their cross-country trip as planned. United said the flight was delayed overnight because the crew had reached the limit of its permitted working hours.
Police arrested a 25-year-old man
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said officials arrested a 25-year-old man on suspicion of making threats or conveying false information concerning acts of terrorism. He was booked at the Clark County Detention Center, according to People, which was cited by Fox News.
United described the reason for the return as “a potential security concern.” In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, the airline said: “United flight 1681 from Las Vegas to Newark on Saturday, Oct. 24, safely returned to Las Vegas to address a potential security concern.”
“The flight was delayed overnight due to crew timeout, and departed for Newark this morning,” the statement continued.
Air traffic control audio obtained by ATC.com captured a controller asking whether the passenger was “compliant or restrained.” A pilot said a flight attendant had seen the passenger texting that he was going to hijack the aircraft and alerted the pilot. The pilot added: “No restraint, passenger is compliant because he’s unaware.”
The account in the recording describes what the crew reported during the incident. The sources do not provide further details about the content of the text messages or the man’s identity.
FAA launches an investigation
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the incident. Airport officials referred further questions to United and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Fox 5 Las Vegas reported. Fox News Digital said it had contacted the Department of Homeland Security and the police department for comment.
The return also required the crew to manage the aircraft’s landing conditions. In the air traffic control audio, the pilot said the plane was still “grossly overweight” and needed to burn excess fuel before landing.
Flight paths showed the aircraft made two loops before returning to the airport, according to FlightAware. The source reported that aircraft may fly longer to burn fuel before an unplanned landing, while an overweight landing can place added stress on landing gear and structural parts, citing SKYbrary Aviation Safety.
The plane landed safely, but the security response and crew-hour limit turned a midair diversion into an overnight interruption for passengers. United said the aircraft departed for Newark Liberty International Airport the following morning.
The FAA investigation is underway, while Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials continue investigating the incident.
Source: foxnews.com
