A stowaway was discovered dead in the landing gear of an American Airlines plane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Sunday, Sept. 28.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department confirmed in a press release that the individual was found around 9 a.m. after the aircraft arrived in North Carolina from Europe.
“On Sunday, September 28 shortly after 9 a.m., while performing maintenance on an American Airlines plane that had recently arrived from Europe, a stowaway was located in the landing gear,” the release stated. “The subject was pronounced deceased on scene by CMPD’s Airport Division officers.”
Homicide unit detectives responded to the scene to begin an investigation, and a crime scene team collected physical evidence.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Charlotte Douglas International Airport said, “CLT Airport is aware of the tragic discovery involving a deceased individual found in the landing gear of an American Airlines aircraft on Sunday morning. We are deeply saddened by this news and will support the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s (CMPD) investigation as needed. Airport operations continue as normal.”
American Airlines also told PEOPLE, “We are working with law enforcement on its investigation.”
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, more than 77 percent of people who attempt to stow away on planes do not survive, CNN previously reported.
Aviation analyst John Nance told ABC News, “A human body exposed for many hours to temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit courts extensive frostbite and loss of limbs, even if the utter lack of oxygen at 35,000 feet or more doesn’t result in brain death.”
The police news release confirmed that the investigation into the incident is ongoing. “Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call 704-432-8477 (TIPS) and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective,” it added. “The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or Charlotte Crime Stoppers.”
