Grim discovery made during routine maintenance at Charlotte Airport; police launch investigation into mystery stowaway
Shocking Discovery at Charlotte Douglas International Airport
A dead body was found inside the landing gear compartment of an American Airlines Boeing 777-200ER at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Sunday, September 28.
The aircraft had arrived from Frankfurt Airport, Germany, and had been parked at the airport for nearly 48 hours before the body was discovered during routine maintenance.
Homicide Investigation Underway
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) confirmed that the deceased individual, believed to be a stowaway, was discovered around 9:00 a.m. during maintenance in a hangar.
“A stowaway was located in the landing gear. The subject was pronounced deceased on scene,” CMPD’s Airport Division stated.
The identity, nationality, and motive of the deceased remain unknown, and authorities are investigating how and when the person accessed the aircraft.
Aircraft Details
- Flight Route: Frankfurt, Germany – Charlotte, North Carolina
- Aircraft Model: Boeing 777-200ER
- Airline: American Airlines
- Arrival Date: Likely September 26
- Time of Discovery: September 28, 9:00 a.m.
American Airlines is cooperating with law enforcement, stating they are “working with law enforcement on its investigation.”
Stowaways in Aircraft Wheel Wells: Rare and Often Fatal
Incidents involving stowaways hiding in airplane wheel wells are rare — and usually deadly. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA):
- Over 77% of wheel-well stowaways do not survive
- Risks include:
- Temperatures as low as -60°F (-51°C)
- Oxygen deprivation at 35,000 feet
- Extreme wind chill and frostbite
“A human body exposed for many hours to such conditions courts brain death and loss of limbs,” said aviation analyst John Nance.
Recent Incidents Involving Stowaways
- January 2025: Two teenage stowaways were found dead in a JetBlue flight’s wheel well.
- September 2025: A 13-year-old boy survived a 90-minute flight from Kabul to Delhi in a Kam Air aircraft’s wheel well. He was later repatriated to Afghanistan.
These events highlight the desperation and danger often involved in illegal stowaway attempts.
