A stowaway was discovered dead in the landing gear compartment of an American Airlines aircraft that arrived from Europe at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina, on Sunday morning.
The grim discovery was made around 9 a.m. local time during routine maintenance checks, according to airport officials.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers responded to the scene and pronounced the individual dead.
The identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed.
American Airlines, in a statement, said it is cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies in the ongoing investigation.
“We are working with law enforcement on its investigation,” the airline said.
Ravenewsonline reports that stowaway incidents, though rare, often involve individuals attempting to travel undetected in aircraft wheel wells, a practice that poses extreme risks due to low oxygen levels and freezing temperatures at high altitudes.
Authorities have yet to determine the origin of the stowaway or how the individual gained access to the aircraft.
