FBI investigates baffling case of Russian-Israeli national’s unexplained transatlantic flight

In a puzzling and unprecedented incident, the FBI is delving into the mysterious journey of Sergey Vladimirovich Ochigava, a Russian-Israeli dual national, who managed to fly from Copenhagen to Los Angeles without a passport, ticket, or any discernible recollection of his journey.

Ochigava’s unconventional voyage unfolded on Scandinavian Airlines flight SK 931 on November 4, leaving authorities perplexed. Unlike his fellow passengers, Ochigava lacked both a boarding pass and his passport, a revelation uncovered by customs officers in California. Astonishingly, he was not listed on the passenger manifest for the flight from Denmark, or any other flights into the US.

According to court documents, cabin crew aboard the flight observed Ochigava’s unusual behavior, noting that he “wandered around the plane and kept changing his seat” during the journey. The enigmatic stowaway also raised eyebrows by requesting two meals during each meal service and attempting to consume chocolate belonging to the cabin crew.

The report into the incident reveals that Ochigava was not seen boarding the plane, and the seat he occupied was supposedly unoccupied according to the flight’s manifest. Despite attempting to engage with other passengers, he was largely ignored, as reported by the cabin crew.

Ochigava now faces charges of stowing away on an aircraft, a crime that carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years. The FBI is actively investigating how he managed to accomplish this unconventional journey.

In response to inquiries, Ochigava claimed he has no recollection of how he ended up on the Scandinavian Airlines flight, expressing uncertainty about having a plane ticket to the United States. Additionally, he professed no memory of boarding the plane in Copenhagen or navigating security at the Danish airport.

Copenhagen Airport confirmed the man’s presence on the flight despite lacking a valid ticket or passport. A spokesperson emphasized their commitment to tightening security measures and aiding authorities in the ongoing investigation.

Scandinavian Airlines assured that the incident is under scrutiny by relevant authorities in both the US and Denmark.