Stowaway Dies in American Airlines Landing Gear

Dead Body Found Inside Aircraft Landing Gear in Charlotte

Authorities have discovered a deceased individual inside the landing gear compartment of a flight bound for North Carolina. The unidentified person was found during maintenance on an American Airlines plane that had recently arrived from Europe at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

The body was situated within the main landing gear bay when staff spotted it early Sunday morning around 9 a.m. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene by law enforcement officers. Investigators from the Homicide Unit are now examining the circumstances surrounding the discovery.

The aircraft was undergoing routine maintenance at the time. The airline has stated it is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the identity of the individual or how they came to be in the landing gear compartment.

American Airlines planes parked at Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
The aircraft was being checked at the airport when the body was found.