Charlotte Douglas International Airport, September 29, 2025
News Summary
A person was found dead in the landing gear compartment of an American Airlines plane that arrived from Europe at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The discovery was made during routine maintenance, prompting a death investigation by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The airport expressed sadness over the incident, while highlighting concerns over stowaway risks in aviation. It’s noted that such incidents often result in fatalities, pushing the need for enhanced security measures at airports.
Charlotte
One person was found dead in the landing gear compartment of an American Airlines plane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Sunday morning. The aircraft had recently arrived from Europe when the discovery was made just after 9 a.m. during routine maintenance on the aircraft. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers pronounced the individual dead at the scene.
The identity and origin of the deceased individual remain unknown. In response to the incident, CMPD’s Homicide Unit is conducting a death investigation at the scene. American Airlines has stated it will cooperate fully with law enforcement regarding the ongoing investigation.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport expressed its sadness over the “tragic discovery” and emphasized that it supports the CMPD’s investigation. Despite this incident, airport operations continue as normal.
Stowaway incidents in landing gear compartments are extremely dangerous, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reporting that more than 76% of attempts result in fatalities. Concerns regarding aviation security have been raised due to multiple stowaway cases in recent years. One notable incident involved a 13-year-old boy from Afghanistan who was found after hiding in the landing gear of a plane traveling from Kabul to Delhi. Additionally, earlier this year, two individuals were found dead in the wheel well of a JetBlue flight from New York to Florida.
The occurrence of stowaway incidents has highlighted the pressing need for enhanced security measures at airports to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.
FAQs
What happened at Charlotte Douglas International Airport?
One person was found dead in the landing gear compartment of an American Airlines plane.
When did the incident occur?
The incident occurred on Sunday morning at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
What was the condition of the individual found?
The individual was pronounced dead at the scene by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers.
What are the dangers associated with stowaway incidents in landing gear compartments?
Stowaway incidents in landing gear compartments are extremely dangerous, with more than 76% of attempts resulting in fatalities, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Have there been similar incidents before?
In recent years, there have been multiple stowaway cases that raised concerns over aviation security, including a similar case where a 13-year-old boy from Afghanistan was found after hiding in a plane’s landing gear.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Charlotte Douglas International Airport |
| Time of Incident | Sunday morning, shortly after 9 a.m. |
| Discovery | During routine maintenance |
| Victim’s Status | Pronounced dead at the scene |
| Investigation | Conducted by CMPD’s Homicide Unit |
| Airport Operations | Continue as normal |
| Stowaway Risk | Over 76% fatality rate according to FAA |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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