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Body Found in United Airlines Wheel Well After Landing in Maui
Discovery of the Body
A deceased individual was found in the wheel well of a United Airlines jetliner after it landed at Kahului Airport, Maui, on Tuesday afternoon. The aircraft had arrived as United Flight 202 from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
The body was located in one of the compartments housing the landing gear, which is only accessible from outside the plane. Authorities have yet to determine how or when the person entered the wheel well.
Investigation Underway
United Airlines confirmed the incident and stated that it is working closely with authorities on the ongoing investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration has not yet provided a statement regarding the matter.
Risks of Stowing Away in Wheel Wells
Stowing away in an aircraft’s wheel well is highly dangerous. These areas are unpressurized, with temperatures dropping between -50°C and -60°C (-58°F and -76°F) during flight. Additionally, oxygen levels are extremely low, making survival improbable.
Despite these risks, there have been a few rare cases where individuals have survived. For example:
- In 2022, a stowaway was found alive in the undercarriage of a Cargolux freight plane at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.
- Last year, a person survived in the wheel well of an Algerian aircraft that landed in Paris.
Security and Safety Concerns
This incident raises concerns about airport security and the need for stricter measures to prevent unauthorized access to aircraft. Such cases often involve individuals taking extreme risks due to desperation or life-threatening circumstances, underlining the human tragedies behind these dangerous actions.