LAS VEGAS (AP) — An airplane passenger was arrested for allegedly writing a message while midair that he was going to “hijack” the plane, forcing the United flight to be diverted back to Las Vegas shortly after takeoff Saturday.
The 25-year-old allegedly communicated that he was “gonna hijack this” plane — although he used an expletive — and “crash ur row only,” according to a copy of the criminal complaint. The document doesn't specify exactly how the message was sent or to whom it was directed.
Las Vegas police said they detained the man after a report of a person making “terroristic threats” on the Saturday night flight that had been headed to Newark, New Jersey. He was arrested on charges of making a threat or providing false information regarding an act of terrorism, which carries a possible sentence of 1 to 20 years in prison.
An attorney listed for the man did not immediately return a request for comment. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.
The scheduled redeye flight returned to the airport less than an hour after departing, according to Flightradar24 data.
United confirmed that the flight with 150 passengers on board returned safely to Las Vegas to address a “potential security concern.” The flight was delayed overnight and departed for Newark on Sunday morning.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it will investigate the incident and said in an email to The Associated Press there have been over 1,400 unruly passenger incidents so far in 2026.
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Associated Press writer Rio Yamat contributed to this report.
FILE - Cars fill a lot at Harry Reid International Airport near the Las Vegas Strip, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)
Deshaun Watson’s fourth-quarter comebacks have older Browns fans remembering the “Kardiac Kids” days of 1979 and ’80, when Brian Sipe led Cleveland to thrilling come-from-behind victories.
However, Watson and the AFC North-leading Browns are pulling off things that not even Sipe accomplished.
Sunday’s 27-24 victory at Tennessee made Watson just the third quarterback since the 1970 merger to have a game-winning drive in each of his team’s first five wins that season. Dallas’ Troy Aikman did it in 1990, followed by Detroit's Matthew Stafford in 2016.
The Browns also joined the 2016 Lions as the only teams since 1970 to record a game-winning score in the final four minutes of regulation or in overtime in each of their first five wins.
Even though Sipe led 11 fourth-quarter game-winning drives during his heyday — including seven in 1979 — and eight come-from-behind victories, he didn’t rally the Browns from double-digit deficits in consecutive weeks.
After beating Baltimore 13-10 on Oct. 18 after trailing 10-0, Cleveland came back from a 14-0 first-quarter deficit to defeat the Titans on another walk-off field goal by Andre Szmyt.
It's only the third time in franchise history — and first since 2007 — that the Browns have won two straight after trailing by at least 10 points.
Coach Todd Monken was more concerned on Monday about the slow starts than Watson’s fantastic finishes.
“I mean, that’s really more of a narrative than what we talk about here. I mean, the flip side is we haven’t started very fast,” Monken said. “But I’m proud of Deshaun, the way he’s battled back in games at times and found a way to take us down the field and give us a chance for victory and the whole offense in general. And there have been times our defense has made big stops. It’s given those opportunities.”
The close victories also have the Browns at 5-2 for the first time since 2020 and only the second since the franchise's return in 1999.
“We wish we had some blowout games. But again, it’s hard to do in this league,” Watson said after Sunday’s game. “With a young team and a young staff and everyone new, it’s actually good and can be beneficial for us in the long run that we have these types of games.”
Watson had his best numbers since being traded to the Browns in 2022, completing 25 of 36 passes for 308 yards. First-round pick KC Concepcion had a breakout day, catching eight passes for 129 yards, including 82 yards after the catch.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr., who had been held in check in the previous two games, had six receptions for 91 yards, including a 36-yard catch to the Tennessee 19-yard line that set up the game-winning field goal.
The close wins have helped Monken build belief in his program in his first year as coach. Cleveland, though, will face a tough test on Sunday when it plays at Pittsburgh. The Browns haven’t won in western Pennsylvania during the regular season since a Sunday night game in 2003.
The Browns rushed for 183 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. It was their most rushing yards since they gained 198 at Pittsburgh in 2023. Quinshon Judkins had a season-high 96 yards and scored two touchdowns. Dylan Sampson returned from a knee injury and provided a nice change of pace with 45 yards on six carries.
Better starts on defense. The Browns joined Washington in 2021 and Philadelphia in 2019 as the only teams since 1991 to allow 38 points on opening drives over the first seven games, according to TruMedia. Cleveland has allowed five touchdowns and a field goal while forcing only one punt on first possessions. The Titans game also marked the fourth time this season a Browns opponent has scored on its first two drives.
Cornerback Denzel Ward, listed as questionable after suffering a finger injury during Friday’s practice, picked off a pass for the second time in four games. He has 20 interceptions in his nine-year career.
Guard Zion Johnson drew three penalties. The two accepted calls stalled Browns drives.
Offensive tackle Tytus Howard is in the concussion protocol.
57 — Points scored by the Browns in the fourth quarter, sixth most in the league.
The Browns face Pittsburgh next Sunday, looking to sweep the season series against the Steelers for the first time since 1988. Cleveland has won the last two meetings, including Week 4 this season, when it rallied for a 27-24 victory.
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Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (10) dives past Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Winston Jr. (23) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) to score a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates as he leaves the field at the end of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken talks to journalists at the end an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) holds off Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Winston Jr. (23) on his way to scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026. (AP Photo/John Amis)
