Stowaway Found Dead in Landing Gear of American Airlines Flight
UPDATE: A stowaway was tragically found dead in the landing gear compartment of an American Airlines flight at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Sunday, October 15, 2023. The aircraft had just arrived from Europe and was undergoing maintenance when the body was discovered, according to a statement from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
Authorities confirmed the individual, whose identity and origin remain unknown, was pronounced dead at the scene. An American Airlines spokesperson stated that the airline is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
In a statement, Charlotte Douglas International Airport expressed its condolences: “We are deeply saddened by this news and will support the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s investigation as needed,” they said. Airport operations are continuing as normal despite the tragic discovery.
This incident raises serious concerns about aviation security, as hiding in a plane’s wheel well is an extremely dangerous method often employed by stowaways. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, more than 77% of individuals who have attempted to stow away on aircraft have lost their lives.
Sunday’s incident is not an isolated case. Just last week, a 13-year-old boy from Afghanistan was found wandering a tarmac in Delhi, India, after he hid in the landing gear of a plane that had flown from Kabul. He was repatriated to Afghanistan the same day.
Earlier this year, two stowaways were discovered dead in the wheel well of a JetBlue flight traveling from New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport to Florida. This alarming trend underscores the need for heightened security measures at airports worldwide.
As police continue their investigation into this tragic event, further information is pending. Authorities are evaluating the circumstances surrounding this discovery, and additional updates are expected soon. Stay tuned for more developments on this urgent story.
