Stowaway found dead in American Airlines landing gear
A stowaway was discovered dead in the landing‑gear compartment of an American Airlines flight shortly after the plane arrived from Europe at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Sunday morning. Maintenance crews found the body around 9 a.m.; Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Department homicide detectives are investigating and American Airlines and airport officials say they are cooperating. The case echoes a January incident at JFK where two stowaways were found dead in a JetBlue landing gear compartment, prompting renewed concerns about aircraft security and stowaway risks.
Crime
Public Safety
Transportation/Aviation
📰 Sources (1)
Stowaway found dead in landing gear of American Airlines plane at Charlotte airport
New information:
- One deceased individual found in the landing‑gear compartment of an American Airlines plane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- Discovery time: shortly after 9 a.m. local time on Sunday morning; flight had arrived from Europe
- Authorities involved: Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Department homicide detectives; American Airlines and airport spokespeople issued statements
- Context: at least the second U.S. landing‑gear stowaway death this year (two dead in January on a JetBlue flight at JFK)