United flight 2174 pilots squawk 7500 after cockpit breach attempt

A passenger on a United Airlines flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to New Orleans (MSY) reportedly tried to storm the cockpit and claimed to have a bomb on Monday 9 November, according to Simple Flying. The pilots squawked the hijack code 7500 and the aircraft landed safely, where police arrested the man.

What happened on flight UA2174

Simple Flying reports that United Airlines flight UA2174, a Boeing 737 MAX 9, left Newark at 9:26 PM and touched down in New Orleans at 11:07 PM, based on flight tracking data. The incident was flagged on X by FlightDeck.

The pilots squawked 7500, the code for unlawful interference, to alert air traffic control. According to Simple Flying, this was first transmitted as the jet descended through 20,000 feet. The crew also reported that the man had a backpack he said contained a bomb.

The pilots also sent an ACARS message to other United aircraft describing an "attempted level four", the most severe threat level, which indicates an attempted or actual cockpit breach. They added that no other details were known at the time.

A United spokesperson told Simple Flying there were 46 passengers and six crew on board, that the flight landed safely after a disruptive incident, and that law enforcement met the aircraft on arrival.

Arrest and charges

Simple Flying says local police identified the suspect as 34-year-old Honduran national Rony Alexander Gomez-Alberto, who reportedly began acting irrationally and told crew he had a bomb. The Department of Homeland Security stated that he tried to enter the cockpit. Authorities said he lived in New York.

He remains in custody without bond. According to the report, he is wanted by ICE for immigration offences and had been deported from the US twice before. He was charged with communicating false information about planned arson and terrorizing. Simple Flying notes that making a bomb threat on an aircraft is a federal crime carrying up to ten years in prison if convicted.

The FAA has confirmed it will investigate, while United has referred further questions to local authorities. Simple Flying says that when the aircraft reached its gate, the passenger was reportedly seated at the back with cabin crew.

A second recent incident at United

Simple Flying links the event to another case last month, when a United 737 MAX 8 flying from Las Vegas to Newark returned to Harry Reid International Airport after a flight attendant spotted a passenger texting about hijacking the plane. According to People, as cited by Simple Flying, the 25-year-old passenger had been drinking and was arrested for making false terrorism threats.

What this means for travellers

The flight completed its journey to New Orleans as planned, and the sources report no injuries. Passengers on board would have been met by law enforcement on arrival, though the sources do not say how the disembarkation was handled or whether onward travel was affected.

The incident shows the established procedures at work: the 7500 squawk, the ACARS alert to other aircraft and police meeting the plane. Travellers should expect crew to treat any claimed threat or attempt to approach the flight deck with the utmost seriousness. The outcome of the FAA investigation is not yet known.

Sources: Simple Flying.