A lifeless stowaway was discovered in the landing gear compartment of an American Airlines aircraft upon its arrival at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Sunday morning. The individual, found during routine plane maintenance after a flight from Europe, was declared deceased by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officials.
An American Airlines representative mentioned that the airline is cooperating with law enforcement on the investigation, urging anyone with information to contact 01-704-432-TIPS to speak with a detective or provide anonymous tips to Charlotte Crime Stoppers at 01-704-334-1600.
This tragic incident recalls a similar event earlier this year when the bodies of two teenagers, Jeik Aniluz Lusi and Elvis Borques Castillo, were found in the landing gear of a JetBlue plane that had traveled from New York to Florida. The boys, identified through DNA testing, were discovered during a post-flight inspection at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
JetBlue described the situation as heartbreaking, highlighting the dangers stowaways face in attempting to enter different countries. Aviation experts note that only a quarter of stowaways survive such perilous journeys, with many not even reaching their intended destinations.
One survivor, Themba Cabeka, endured an 11-hour flight from Johannesburg to London by hiding in a British Airways plane’s undercarriage. Justin, as he is now known, described the harrowing experience of feeling the plane’s engine and seeing the ground below during the flight. Despite sustaining burn injuries and losing his companion Vale during the journey, Justin survived and now resides in Liverpool.