In a bizarre incident last November, a Russian man, Sergey Ochigava, managed to board a flight from Denmark to Los Angeles without a ticket, passport, or visa. On Friday, a California court found the 46-year-old guilty of being a stowaway on the aircraft.
Ochigava's journey began when he evaded security measures at Copenhagen Airport in Denmark by tailgating another passenger through a turnstile gate. Despite not having a boarding pass, he went undetected and successfully boarded a Scandinavian Airlines flight to Los Angeles.
Upon investigation, authorities found no record of Ochigava being booked on the flight or applying for a visa. He was arrested at the Los Angeles airport and has been in custody since November. The conviction could lead to a prison sentence of up to five years.
During the flight, cabin crew members became suspicious of Ochigava as he moved between multiple unassigned seats. His behavior further raised concerns when he requested two meals during each meal service and attempted to consume chocolate that belonged to the cabin crew. One flight attendant noted his attempts to engage with other passengers, though most ignored him.
Upon landing in Los Angeles on November 4, U.S. border agents met Ochigava, only to discover that there was no official record of him on the Scandinavian Airlines flight or any other. He was unable to provide the necessary travel documents, such as a visa or passport. Upon searching his bag, officials found both Russian and Israeli ID cards in his possession.
Accused of providing false and misleading information about his travel to the United States, Ochigava initially claimed he had forgotten his passport on the plane. He mentioned the possibility of having a plane ticket but expressed uncertainty. Additionally, he stated that he had no recollection of how he managed to board the flight, citing a lack of sleep for three days.
Sergey Ochigava is scheduled for formal sentencing on February 5, marking the conclusion of a peculiar case that underscores vulnerabilities in airport security systems and the potential for individuals to exploit them. The incident has prompted heightened scrutiny over aviation safety protocols to prevent similar occurrences in the future.