A stowaway was found dead Sunday morning in the landing gear of an American Airlines flight that had arrived in Charlotte, North Carolina, from Europe, police confirmed.
Maintenance crews discovered the individual around 9 a.m., and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers pronounced the person dead at the scene.
American Airlines issued a statement acknowledging the discovery and said it was cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.
Airport Authorities Respond
Officials at Charlotte Douglas International Airport said they were aware of the incident and expressed condolences.
“We are deeply saddened by this news and will support the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s investigation as needed. Airport operations continue as normal,” airport authorities said in a statement.
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The Deadly Risks of Stowing Away
Aviation experts say that hiding in the wheel well of a commercial aircraft is almost always fatal due to extreme conditions at cruising altitude.
“A human body exposed for many hours to temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit courts extensive frostbite and loss of limbs, even if the lack of oxygen at 35,000 feet doesn’t result in brain death,” aviation analyst John Nance told ABC News.
While there have been rare cases of survival, Nance emphasized that such attempts pose severe risks not only to stowaways but also to the safety of passengers and crew.
