By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Reading: Stowaway Found Dead in American Airlines Landing Gear
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Font ResizerAa
Travel Radar - Aviation NewsTravel Radar - Aviation News
  • Breaking News
  • Aviation
    • Aircraft
    • Airlines
    • Airshow & Events
    • Careers
    • Manufacturing
  • Travel
    • Airports
    • Points & Loyalty
    • Technology
    • Trip Reviews
  • Newsletters
Signin Sign In
Follow US
Copyright © Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2025 | All Rights Reserved
Travel Radar - Aviation News > News > Aviation > Airlines > Stowaway Found Dead in American Airlines Landing Gear
AirlinesBreaking NewsIncidents & Accidents

Stowaway Found Dead in American Airlines Landing Gear

Thomas Hayes
Last updated: 1 October 2025 07:04
By Thomas Hayes
2 Min Read
Share
American Airlines Boeing 738 Mid Air
American Airlines Boeing 738 Mid Air © Ross Sokolovski
SHARE

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department have confirmed that they found a a stowaway dead inside the landing-gear compartment of an American Airlines jet that landed in Charlotte Douglas International Airport over the weekend.

Do not cross Police tape
“Do not cross” Police tape © David von Diemar

The “Tragic Incident”

This incident follows American Airlines’ 100th Anniversary.

The body was discovered at 9 am on Sunday, 28 September, in the landing gear of the Boeing 777 during a routine inspection after it landed in Charlotte from Barcelona on Saturday.

Neither the identity nor the nationality of the deceased has been released; however, American Airlines is working alongside law enforcement agencies on an investigation.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport also released a statement:

We are deeply saddened by this news and will support the CMPD investigation as needed.

CMPD said:

The subject was pronounced deceased on the scene by CMPD’s airport division officers

Landing Gear from the Air Over a City
Landing Gear from the Air Over a City © Shashank Verma

Stowing Away and The Risks

Stowaways on commercial flights are rare occurrences; however, the landing gear is a commonly used hiding place for illegal transportation.

Editors of the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) have highlighted the risks of wheel-well stowaway flights, with individuals in the past travelling to major hubs like London, Miami, New York, Japan and Madrid.

Often these attempts resulted in fatal deaths from falls, being crushed by gear, with some even freezing to death, with altitudes of flights at nearly 40,000 feet, where temperatures reach -70°C.

Peak of Mount Everest (29,030 ft)
Snow-covered summit of Mount Everest (29,030 ft) © Martin Jernberg

CMPD have said that the case is active and ongoing, and Charlotte Airport have continued its operations as normal.

This incident highlights the risk of stowing away on an aircraft. Our thoughts are with those affected.

You Might Also Like

airBaltic and SUA Líneas Aéreas enters Strategic Partnership
Flexjet Reveals Exclusive Collaboration with Luxury Luggage Brand, Globe-Trotter
Binter Expands Fleet with Two New Embraer E195-E2 Jets
Thai Airways Nears Completion of Rehabilitation Plan, Eyes Fleet Expansion
T’Way Air To Rebrand As Trinity Airways
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link
What’s your thoughts?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Angry0
Previous Article A horse jumping over a hurdle at a Dublin Horse Show Flying into Dublin? Here’s How to Experience Ireland’s Horse Racing Culture
Next Article Lufthansa Airliner in Frankfurt Germany Lufthansa set to cut 4,000 jobs by 2030 in preparation for AI future
Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest

guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Stay Connected

FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe

Trending News

Lufthansa Airliner in Frankfurt Germany
Lufthansa set to cut 4,000 jobs by 2030 in preparation for AI future
Airline Economics Airlines Aviation Breaking News
A horse jumping over a hurdle at a Dublin Horse Show
Flying into Dublin? Here’s How to Experience Ireland’s Horse Racing Culture
Travel Travel Radar
British Airways
British Airways Expands Middle East Flight Network
Airlines Aviation Route Development
AirBaltic
AirBaltic Announces the Launch of Group Boarding
Airlines Aviation
Iberia staff in front of the new plane named after Bettina Kadner.
Iberia Dedicates Plane to Bettina Kadner, Europe’s First Female Airline Pilot
Airlines Aviation Did You Know
//

Travel Radar is the leading digital hub for all things aviation and air-travel. Discover our latest aviation news, aviation data, insight and analysis.

Discover

  • Latest News
  • Subscribe
  • Weekly Digest
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Media Coverage
  • Press & Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Our Brands

Signup to our Newsletter!

And get the latest aviation news via our weekly news digest!

© Travel Radar Media Ltd. 2015-2025 | ISSN #2635-0696 | Trademark #UK00003579704
wpDiscuz
adbanner
Welcome to the TR Community!

Sign in to your account

Not a member? Sign Up