Police say a deceased person was discovered in the landing gear of an American Airlines plane following its arrival at Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina.
Maintenance staff made the discovery just after 9 a.m. on Sunday while servicing the aircraft after it arrived from Europe, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) said in a statement. CMPD Airport Division pronounced the individual deceased at the scene.
CMPD’s Homicide Unit has opened an investigation, with Crime Scene Search teams tasked with collecting evidence, and CMPD Operations Command and MEDIC are also assisting.
“CLT Airport is aware of the tragic discovery involving a deceased individual found in an American Airlines aircraft this morning,” a Charlotte Douglas Airport spokesperson said, per Fox Business.
“We are deeply saddened by this news and will support Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) investigation as needed.”
Dallas-based American Airlines told Fox News Digital in a statement that the airline is working with law enforcement on the investigation.
“A deceased individual was discovered inside one of the main landing gear compartments of one of our aircraft. Please direct any further questions to local law enforcement,” the statement read.
According to the CMPD, the case remains open and active, with further details to be provided once they become available.
While extremely dangerous, hiding in the landing gear compartment of commercial flights is not uncommon among people.
“It’s very, very loud… It’s very cold, and there’s no air to breathe. So, it’s a very dangerous stunt to pull,” said John Gagliano, an aviation attorney and pilot, commenting on a previous incident earlier this year where two bodies were found in the landing gear area of a JetBlue plane that landed in Florida, per CBS News.
“At 30,000 feet, temperatures can drop 90 degrees colder than on the ground… If it’s 50 degrees on the ground, it’s -42 degrees at cruising altitude. You’re going to freeze to death at -42 degrees if you’re there for any amount of time,” said Gagliano at the time.