Twice-deported illegal immigrant accused of trying to storm United cockpit, threatening bomb: DHS
A Honduran national who had been deported twice attempted to breach a United Airlines cockpit on Flight 2174 from Newark to New Orleans on Nov. 9, 2026, prompting a hijacking alert and an emergency landing. DHS confirmed the individual, Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, tried to enter the cockpit and faced bomb-threat and terrorizing-related charges; ICE lodged a detainer the next day. The aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 with 46 passengers and six crew, landed safely in New Orleans and authorities began the formal proceedings. The case underscores ongoing enforcement actions around repeat entrants and in-flight security concerns. DHS framed the incident within its stricter stance on illegal immigration under the current administration.
Dive Deeper:
The disturbance occurred aboard United Airlines Flight 2174 en route from Newark to New Orleans, leading to a hijacking alert and a controlled emergency landing in New Orleans after concerns that a bomb was involved.
Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, identified by DHS as a Honduran national who had been deported twice previously, was arrested by local authorities after the flight landed and was later detained by ICE with a detainer filed on November 10, 2026.
According to DHS, Gomez-Alberto had a history of illegal entry attempts, including crossings near El Indio, Texas in 2011 and near Columbus, New Mexico in 2014, and another attempt near San Ysidro, California in 2019 before his deportations and releases.
United Airlines confirmed the flight, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 carrying 46 passengers and six crew, landed safely and that law enforcement met the aircraft upon arrival; the airline referenced local authorities for further comment.
DHS described the incident as involving bomb-threat and terroristic-threat offenses in its statement, with additional charges of disorderly conduct related to the midair disruption.
ICE lodged the detainer the day after arrest, and DHS noted the prior release of Gomez-Alberto in 2020 after an immigration judge ordered release pending removal proceedings, underscoring recurring enforcement-and-removal dynamics.
The report situates the event within ongoing political and policy discourse on illegal immigration, with DHS portraying a tough posture toward repeat violators and in-flight security concerns.