Attempted hijacking suspect identified as an Omani national
Chanley Painter reports on the alleged attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight involving a co-pilot suspect. Documents indicate the man had previously been barred from flying in Oman because of extremist views before the reported midflight disruption. Graphic video shows passengers reacting and the cabin’s condition after the aircraft made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
A Honduran illegal alien accused of trying to enter the cockpit of a United Airlines flight after allegedly saying he had a bomb had already been deported from the United States twice, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed to Fox News.
Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto was taken into custody by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office after United Airlines Flight 2174 arrived at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport following a frightening disturbance Monday night.
The suspect allegedly threatened that he had a bomb, prompting the pilots to issue a reported hijacking alert, according to the Daily Mail. DHS separately said Gomez-Alberto was accused of attempting to breach the cockpit.
Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, a Honduran national whom DHS says was deported twice, was arrested after allegedly trying to enter the cockpit of a United Airlines flight on Nov. 9, 2026. (Courtesy Department of Homeland Security)
DHS said Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer against Gomez-Alberto on Tuesday, one day after his arrest.
“On November 10, 2026, ICE lodged a detainer for Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras, with Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office after he attempted to gain entry to the cockpit during a flight,” a DHS spokesperson told Fox News.
A United Airlines aircraft in flight. Flight 2174 landed safely in New Orleans after a passenger disturbance on Nov. 9, 2026, according to the airline. (Anadolu via Getty Images)
According to DHS, Border Patrol first apprehended Gomez-Alberto after he illegally entered the United States near El Indio, Texas, in September 2011. He was caught again near Columbus, New Mexico, in October 2014. He was removed from the country after both incidents.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Trump Aide Emerges as Dark-Horse Press Secretary Contender Despite White House Clashes
Border Patrol arrested him again in 2019 after he allegedly tried to enter the country illegally near San Ysidro, California.
The United Airlines flight was traveling to New Orleans from New Jersey. (Eva Marie Uzcategui/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
DHS said ICE released Gomez-Alberto from custody in January 2020 after an immigration judge ordered his release while removal proceedings were pending.
Local reports citing the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said Gomez-Alberto was booked on charges of communicating false information about planned arson and terrorizing. In its statement, DHS also cited allegations involving a bomb threat, a terroristic threat and disorderly conduct.
United Airlines separately confirmed that a disturbance occurred aboard the flight in a statement to News Outlet.
“United flight 2174 from Newark to New Orleans landed safely following a disruptive incident involving a passenger onboard. Law enforcement met the aircraft upon arrival,” United media relations said.
The airline said the aircraft was a Boeing 737 MAX 9 carrying 46 passengers and six crew members.
United directed further questions about the incident to local authorities. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to News Outlet’s request for comment.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, criminal illegal aliens are NOT welcome in the United States,” the DHS spokesperson said.
