A United Airlines passenger was arrested after allegedly threatening to detonate a bomb and attempting to force his way into the cockpit of a flight from Newark, New Jersey, to New Orleans, Louisiana.
The incident involved United Airlines Flight 2174, which departed Newark International Airport at about 9:30 p.m. with 46 passengers and six crew members on board. According to the New York Post, the pilot alerted air‑traffic controllers when the 34‑year‑old suspect, identified as Rony Gomez Alberto, began behaving erratically, claiming he was carrying a bomb and trying to gain access to the cockpit.
Audio recordings of the crew’s communications with air‑traffic control indicate that Alberto, who authorities say had limited proficiency in English, was restrained at the rear of the aircraft while the crew managed the situation. The plane landed safely at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport at approximately 11:15 p.m., where officers of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office were on standby.
United Airlines confirmed the incident on Tuesday, stating that the aircraft was received by law enforcement officials upon landing. Alberto was subsequently arrested and charged with communicating false information about planned arson and terrorising, according to local news outlet NOLA.com.
He is currently being held without bail at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Centre. The incident underscores the importance of vigilant security protocols on domestic flights across the United States.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
