A tragic incident unfolded at Maui’s Kahului Airport on Christmas Eve, when the body of an individual was discovered inside the wheel well of a United Airlines aircraft. The Boeing 787-10 had just landed from Chicago, and airport authorities were quick to launch an investigation.
United Airlines confirmed the discovery, stating, "Upon arrival at Kahului airport...a body was found in the wheel well of one of the main landing gears on the United aircraft." The airline emphasized the wheel well was only accessible from outside the plane, leaving many unanswered questions about how the individual could have accessed it.
Investigators from the Maui Police Department have taken over, but details remain scarce. "The incident occurred yesterday afternoon, and the investigation remainsongoing," the police indicated without providing information on the identity of the deceased or the circumstances surrounding the death. At press time, no additional information has been released by either United Airlines or law enforcement.
This unsettling discovery reignites concerns about aviation security, particularly the practice of stowing away inside aircraft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, stowing away in wheel wells is the most common method attempted by unauthorized persons seeking to hitch illegal flights. Alarmingly, this practice has led to dire outcomes; over 77% of stowaways attempting this method have died due to exposure to extreme cold and low oxygen levels during flights.
At cruising altitudes, the temperatures outside planes can plummet to as low as -80 degrees Fahrenheit, and oxygen levels drop significantly, making survival nearly impossible. Past incidents of stowaways have shown occasional survivors, but such cases are extremely rare. The FAA recorded from 1947 to 2014, there were 105 stowaways globally who took the perilous route of hiding within wheel wells; out of these, 80 lost their lives.
One of the rare survival stories involves Yahya Abdi, a 15-year-old who climbed aboard a Hawaiian Airlines flight from San Jose to Kahului back in 2014. He managed to survive the flight by hiding in the front wheel well, demonstrating the extreme lengths some will go to. Abdi stated he undertook the risky flight to reunite with his mother, who was living in a refugee camp.
The tragic incident at Kahului Airport also aligns with recent heightened scrutiny on aviation security. A few days prior, at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, another stowaway incident occurred involving unauthorized boarding of a Delta flight. Passengers expressed disbelief about lax security, prompting discussions about potential lapses within existing security protocols.
United Airlines has been under scrutiny recently following various incidents, including emergency landings and operational troubles. The FAA had previously conducted investigations but concluded there were no significant safety flaws found at the airline, which remains one of the world’s largest carriers.
This latest incident raises pressing questions about airport security measures, particularly during peak travel seasons, when many families and individuals rely on safe airline travel. Experts argue for reassessments of current protocols to avoid tragedies like the one witnessed this week.
Witnesses and travelers remain concerned as investigations continue. The discovery of this body not only highlights the dangers associated with stowing away but also serves as a stark reminder of the need for stringent aviation security practices.
With more information expected to be unveiled as investigations move forward, families and travelers will be left waiting for answers amid growing concerns for safety and the effectiveness of airport procedures.
