Man Found Hiding in United Airlines Plane Bathroom After Evading TSA

Abdulrahman Oriyomi, 25, was charged with a felony after allegedly using a fake boarding pass to sneak onto a United Airlines flight at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. According to a criminal complaint, Oriyomi was discovered hiding in an airplane bathroom in May 2026 after slipping past TSA and gate agents.

The incident, detailed in court records and reported by CNN, occurred when Oriyomi managed to bypass multiple security checkpoints. Authorities allege that he used a document that appeared to be a boarding pass to gain access to the aircraft, despite not being on the flight manifest.

How did the security breach occur on the United Airlines flight?

According to the criminal complaint, Oriyomi successfully navigated the security protocols at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. He bypassed both the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and gate agents, who failed to identify that his boarding pass was not valid.

Once on board the United Airlines plane, Oriyomi attempted to integrate himself with the other passengers. A woman seated nearby told investigators that Oriyomi tried to sit in an empty aisle seat but acted as if he was unsure if the seat belonged to him.

The witness reported that Oriyomi stood back up and entered one of the plane’s restrooms. He remained inside for approximately 15 minutes. When he emerged, he found that other passengers had already taken the aisle seat he had previously eyed.

Following this, the complaint alleges that Oriyomi entered another bathroom on the aircraft. He remained there as the plane began to pull away from the gate. The security breach was only discovered when a passenger alerted flight attendants that someone was still in the restroom.

What are the legal charges against Abdulrahman Oriyomi?

Texas authorities have charged Oriyomi with a felony for impairing or interrupting operation of a critical infrastructure facility. This specific charge reflects the legal classification of aviation hubs and aircraft as critical infrastructure under Texas law.

Court records indicate that Oriyomi was booked into a jail in Harris County, Texas, on June 5, 2026. The felony charge indicates that authorities are treating the unauthorized boarding not as a simple trespass, but as a significant disruption to aviation operations.

Why does this incident raise aviation security concerns?

The ability of an unauthorized individual to bypass both federal TSA screening and airline gate agents highlights potential vulnerabilities in airport security. The fact that the stowaway was only discovered after the aircraft had already begun to move from the gate suggests a failure in the manifest verification process.

According to CNN, this event is part of a broader pattern of concern regarding aviation security lapses, noting that similar stowaway cases have occurred in recent years.

The sequence of events—from the use of a fake pass to the ability to move freely between aircraft bathrooms unnoticed—demonstrates a gap between the boarding process and the final cabin check performed by flight crews.