Stowaway found dead in landing gear of an American Airlines flight at CLT
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Police discovered a deceased stowaway in plane’s landing gear at CLT airport.
- American Airlines crew found the body during aircraft maintenance on Sunday.
- CMPD homicide detectives and forensics teams continue the active investigation.
Charlotte police are investigating the death of a stowaway found inside the landing gear of an American Airlines plane at Charlotte Douglas International Airport that had recently arrived from Europe.
Crews from the airline on Sunday morning were doing maintenance on the aircraft near the 5000 block of Hangar Road.
Shortly after 9 a.m., they made a gruesome discovery of a body inside the landing gear. The person was pronounced deceased on scene by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Deparment’s Airport Division officers.
Homicide detectives responded to the scene and Crime Scene Search also responded to collect physical evidence. Representatives from CMPD’s Operations Command and MEDIC also assisted.
The investigation continues. As more information develops, it will be released by CMPD’s Public Affairs Office.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call 704-432-8477 (TIPS) and speak directly to a Homicide Unit detective.
The public can also leave information anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600. For additional information about this case, please refer to the report: 20250928-0936-01.
This story was originally published September 28, 2025 at 2:33 PM.
