Abdulrahman Oluwatumike Oriyomi, 25, is accused of boarding United flight 469 from Houston to Los Angeles on May 18 using an apparently forged boarding pass and hiding in a lavatory. Crew members discovered he was not on the flight manifest and the aircraft returned to the gate, delaying the flight about three hours. TSA says he presented a boarding pass and cleared screening, while authorities say the QR code looked forged and the original booking had been canceled for nonpayment. Oriyomi faces a charge of impairing or interrupting the operation of a critical infrastructure facility.
Man Allegedly Sneaks Onto United Flight With Forged Boarding Pass, Hides In Lavatory — Flight Delayed
Man allegedly snuck onto United flight with fake boarding pass
A 25-year-old man is accused of boarding United Airlines flight 469 from Houston to Los Angeles on May 18 using a forged boarding pass, then hiding in a lavatory, forcing the aircraft to return to the gate and causing significant delays, according to court documents and surveillance footage.
Surveillance video and a complaint filed June 1 in Harris County District Court say Abdulrahman Oluwatumike Oriyomi waited until "United employees [were] preoccupied with other passengers" before boarding at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). A witness reported that Oriyomi attempted to find a seat and subsequently hid in an onboard restroom.
Flight attendants were alerted before takeoff; Oriyomi gave a false name when questioned and crew members discovered he was not listed on the flight manifest. The aircraft returned to the gate and authorities responded.
Security checkpoint interactions: Court documents and footage indicate Oriyomi spoke with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents at the checkpoint and appeared to have "possible difficulty with his boarding pass," but he was permitted through screening. He had earlier attempted to board a different United flight to Los Angeles, repeatedly trying to scan a boarding pass and being turned away.
"TSA can confirm that on May 18, 2026, the individual in question presented a valid boarding pass at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The individual did go through standard screening and did not possess any prohibited items."
Houston police say Oriyomi provided a United confirmation number, but an airline customer service representative told investigators the booking had been canceled because payment was not completed. Authorities also say the QR code on his boarding pass appeared to be forged.
The complaint states officers from the Houston Police Department, the FBI and Houston Airport System (H.A.S.) were occupied for more than an hour and a half responding to the incident, and United flight 469 was delayed by approximately three hours. Oriyomi was charged with impairing or interrupting the operation of a critical infrastructure facility.
United referred requests for comment to law enforcement. The attorney listed for Oriyomi did not immediately respond to a separate request for comment. This report was updated to add new information.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. He may be reached at [email protected].
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