Recent security audio has revealed the alarming moments when emergency personnel responded to a crisis on a United Airlines flight. The situation involved an illegal immigrant allegedly threatening to hijack the plane and claimed that he had a bomb in his backpack.
The flight, headed to New Orleans from Newark, New Jersey, faced the emergency Monday evening. Suspect Rony Gomez-Alberto, a 34-year-old from Honduras, was detained following his arrest. He is currently in jail.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the suspect had been deported from the U.S. twice before. He re-entered the country illegally through California and was released by a judge in 2020.
No injuries occurred during the incident. Audio obtained by 4WWL indicates the suspect was potentially held at the back of the aircraft as passengers exited. Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, a Honduran national who DHS states was previously deported twice, attempted to breach the cockpit on November 9, 2026.
The radio call recorded a voice stating, “We have him at the back door. The back door has been breached by him.”
More dispatch communications included:
- “We’re going to approach and enter through the rear of the aircraft.”
- “Do we have any units on scene with a cage?”
- “There’s a Hispanic male wearing a hat, probably something about 5’7.”
- “Stay on the line with him and instruct him to notify you if he moves toward the front of the airplane.”
- “We’ve got the passengers coming toward the cars. Let’s keep them corralled by our cars.”
- “He’s wearing all black.”
Furthermore, it was noted that one passenger reported the suspect changed into black clothing before trying to reach the cockpit. Pilots were advised to remain in the cockpit with the door locked, while flight attendants were evacuated. The suspect does not speak English.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested the suspect. He faces charges of terrorizing, communicating false information of planned arson, and being a fugitive from justice. He remains in jail without bond.