‘Back door breached’: New audio captures response to migrant’s alleged United Airlines hijack threat
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA: Emergency personnel scrambled to secure a United Airlines flight after a passenger allegedly threatened to hijack the aircraft and claimed he had a bomb in his backpack.
Newly released radio transmissions capture officers discussing how to approach the plane, move passengers to safety, and prevent the suspect from reaching the cockpit during the incident on Monday evening, November 9.
The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Honduran national Rony Gomez-Alberto, was arrested after the flight from Newark, New Jersey, landed in New Orleans. No injuries were reported.
Released security audio captures the tense, minute-by-minute response as emergency personnel rushed a United Airlines plane on the tarmac after a passenger allegedly claimed he had a bomb in his backpack and tried to hijack the flight. The suspect, Rony Gomez-Alberto, allegedly breached the rear door of the aircraft on United Airlines Flight 2174, which was traveling from Newark to New Orleans Monday evening. Personnel on dispatch are heard coordinating to approach from the rear, requesting a transport cage, and warning that the suspect had changed into all black clothing before allegedly trying to reach the cockpit. Gomez-Alberto, an illegal immigrant who DHS confirmed was deported from the U.S. twice before re-entering through California, is now in jail with no bond on charges of terrorizing, communicating false information of planned arson, and fugitive from justice. No one was hurt. Full story here https://t.co/Z93lYGFfwm
— Fox News US (@FoxUSNews) November 11, 2026
United Airlines passenger allegedly breaches aircraft rear door
The newly released audio, obtained by 4WWL, reveals the tense moments as emergency personnel coordinated their response on the tarmac.
One of the most alarming exchanges came when someone reported that the suspect was being held near the rear of the aircraft.
"We have him at the back door. The back door has been breached by him," a voice can be heard saying in the recording.
Another officer then discussed the plan to approach the aircraft from behind, saying, "We're going to approach and enter through the rear of the aircraft."
Personnel also asked whether any responding units had a cage available. Officers were given a description of the suspect, who was reportedly wearing a hat and stood around 5 feet 7 inches tall.
Police audio reveals response to alleged hijack threat
The radio transmissions also reveal how officers worked to keep passengers away from the aircraft while responding to the alleged threat.
"My guys, we got the passengers coming toward the cars. Let's keep them corralled right by our cars," one person said over the radio.
Another transmission indicated that the suspect had changed his clothes during the incident.
"Be advised, one passenger had not told me he changed into all black before he started trying to reach the cockpit," a voice said.
Officers were also told to remain alert and report immediately if the suspect attempted to move toward the front of the aircraft.
The pilots were instructed to remain inside the cockpit with the door locked, while flight attendants were escorted off the plane and taken to safety.
"Pilots are going to stay in the cockpit with the door locked. Flight attendants are going to come off, so we're going to bring them off and bring them over here as well," another person said.
The dispatch recording also indicated that Gomez-Alberto did not speak English. However, it remains unclear which specific agencies were communicating with one another.
NEW: DHS confirms to @FoxNews that a suspect arrested on a Newark to New Orleans United flight last night for allegedly storming the cockpit and claiming to have a bomb, leading to United putting out a hijack alert for the plane, is a 2x previously deported Honduran illegal alien. Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto was arrested by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office once the flight landed at MSY (New Orleans airport) and he has been charged with felony bomb threat, terroristic threats, and disorderly conduct. Per DHS - Gomez-Alberto crossed the Texas border illegally in 2011 and was deported, then illegally re-entered through the New Mexico border in 2014 and was deported a second time. He illegally re-entered the country a third time in 2019, was arrested by Border Patrol, but was released from custody after an immigration judge ordered his release. He is currently being held without bond by law enforcement in Louisiana.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) November 11, 2026
DHS details suspect's deportation history and arrest
The incident has also drawn attention to the suspect's immigration history.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously confirmed to Fox News that Gomez-Alberto had been deported from the United States twice before allegedly re-entering the country.
According to the report, he was released by an immigration judge in 2020.
Gomez-Alberto was arrested by Jefferson Parish Sheriff's deputies after the incident and is currently being held in jail without bond.
The charges against him include terrorizing, communicating false information of planned arson, and fugitive from justice.
