Body of Suspected Stowaway Found in Landing Gear of American Airlines Jet in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A grim discovery was made Sunday morning at Charlotte Douglas International Airport when maintenance workers found the body of a suspected stowaway inside the landing gear compartment of an American Airlines aircraft that had recently arrived from Europe.
Discovery During Inspection
According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, the body was located during a routine post-flight inspection. The aircraft had just completed an international journey, though authorities have not confirmed the exact point of origin.
Investigators are now working to determine the victim’s identity and cause of death.
Airline and Airport Response
American Airlines confirmed the discovery and said it is fully cooperating with authorities, referring all additional inquiries to police. The airport administration expressed regret over the incident and pledged its support for the ongoing investigation.
Dangers of Landing Gear Stowaways
Aviation safety experts warn that attempting to hide inside an aircraft’s landing gear is almost always fatal. Roughly three out of four stowaways do not survive the trip, as temperatures can plummet far below freezing and oxygen levels become critically low at cruising altitude.
Recent Precedents
This case follows several similar tragedies in recent years:
- January 2025: Two bodies were discovered in the landing gear of a JetBlue aircraft during an inspection in Fort Lauderdale, after the plane had flown from New York and made stops in Jamaica and Utah.
- December 2024: Another stowaway body was found in the landing gear of a United Airlines jet that had flown between Chicago and Maui.
Authorities say these cases highlight both the desperation of those attempting such dangerous journeys and the challenges faced by airlines in preventing them.
Do you think airlines should enhance landing gear security checks to prevent tragedies like this, or are the risks unavoidable given the desperation of stowaways? Share your views in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
