Hijack Alert After Twice-Deported Illegal Immigrant Storms United Airlines Cockpit, Claims To Have Bomb

Last Updated:November 11, 2026, 09:25 IST

An illegal immigrant, who had previously been deported from the US twice, was accused of attempting to enter the cockpit of a flight after allegedly claiming to have a bomb

Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto was deported twice from the United States (Photo credit: Department of Homeland Security)

An illegal immigrant, who had previously been deported from the United States twice, was accused of attempting to enter the cockpit of a United Airlines flight after allegedly claiming to have a bomb, Fox News reported.

The accused, identified as Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, was apprehended by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office after United Airlines Flight 2174 landed at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport Monday night, November 9.

The suspect allegedly claimed to have a bomb during the flightprompting a hijacking alert, the Daily Mail reported. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Gomez-Alberto also allegedly attempted to enter the flight cockpit.

The DHS said that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer following the suspect’s 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.

Suspect Deported From US Twice

Gomez-Alberto was arrested and deported from the United States in September 2011 by Border Patrol after illegally entering the country near El Indio, Texas. Later, in October 2014, he was arrested near Columbus, New Mexico.

In 2019, Border Patrol arrested him again after he attempted an illegal entry near San Ysidro, California.

Gomez-Alberto was released by ICE from custody in January 2020 after an immigration judge ordered his release pending removal proceedings, according to DHS.

United Airlines confirmed the development in a statement to Fox News. According to the airline, aircraft Boeing 737 MAX 9 was carrying 46 passengers and six crew members.

“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,” said the airline.

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What happened on United Airlines Flight 2174?

A twice-deported illegal immigrant named Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto attempted to enter the cockpit and allegedly claimed to have a bomb during United Airlines Flight 2174 from Newark to New Orleans. Law enforcement met the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft upon its safe arrival at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport on Monday night, November 9.

Who is the suspect involved in the United Airlines cockpit incident?

The suspect is Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras who had previously been deported from the United States twice in 2011 and 2014. Following his arrest by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Immigration and Customs Enforcement lodged a detainer against him on November 10, 2026.

What actions did ICE and United Airlines take following the flight disturbance?

United Airlines confirmed that law enforcement met the Boeing 737 MAX 9 carrying 46 passengers and six crew members upon arrival. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE lodged a detainer with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office on November 10, 2026.

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Meemansa ShekhawatSub-editor

A Journalism graduate, Meemansa Shekhawat is a sub-editor at News18. Driven by a keen interest in news, she is a passionate writer with specialisation in national and international affairs. You can re…Read More

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