Man's Body Found in Wheel Well of AA Plane

underpressure · Oct 22, 04, 9:32 am

Updated: 08:46 AM EDT
Man's Body Found in Wheel Well of Plane

ROMULUS, Mich. (Oct. 22) - A man's body was found early Friday in the wheel well of an American Airlines jet from Miami landing at Detroit Metropolitan Airport.

The body was found about 1 a.m. by an airport worker after passengers had disembarked. A cause of death and identity for the man, who was in his 20s, were not immediately known.

Detroit Metro spokeswoman Barbara Hogan said the flight originated in the Caribbean. She said it left Miami about 9:45 p.m. EDT Thursday and landed at Detroit Metro about 12:50 a.m.

The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office was conducting an autopsy, she said.

A message left Friday for American Airlines wasn't immediately returned.

People have attempted to stow away on flights in the wheel wells of airliners, a practice made particularly dangerous by severe temperature and pressure conditions.

10/22/04 07:03 EDT

Jaimito Cartero · Oct 22, 04, 9:48 am

It looks like someone watched "The Fifth Element". Cause of death? Squishing!

robmach · Oct 22, 04, 10:09 am

that scares me that they can even gain access to the wheel well. or the runway for that matter

underpressure · Oct 22, 04, 10:21 am

looks like he had access twice maybe... that is scary!

Sydneysider · Oct 22, 04, 2:33 pm

But did the TSA check his ID on the way in? That's real security so we can all feel safe.

TravelManKen · Oct 23, 04, 4:24 pm

I really don't understand why someone would choose the wheel well. Doesn't he know that on American you get More Room Throughout Coach?

Dovster · Oct 23, 04, 5:00 pm

I'm sorry to be a killjoy but I imagine this is a case where a person who could never afford the airfare lost his life in an attempt to escape his poverty and go to America.

I can not see the humor in it.

Flyingmama · Oct 23, 04, 6:23 pm

I agree with Dovster.

**obscure2k** · Oct 23, 04, 6:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dovster

I'm sorry to be a killjoy but I imagine this is a case where a person who could never afford the airfare lost his life in an attempt to escape his poverty and go to America.

I can not see the humor in it.

Well stated, my friend.

TSASuper · Oct 25, 04, 2:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ender83

But did the TSA check his ID on the way in? That's real security so we can all feel safe.

What does TSA have to do with it? sigh

TSASuper · Oct 25, 04, 2:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dovster

I'm sorry to be a killjoy but I imagine this is a case where a person who could never afford the airfare lost his life in an attempt to escape his poverty and go to America.

I can not see the humor in it.

I agree. It is very disturbing and sad that someone must risk their life to this extreme in order to give himself a better chance at life. Right now, I hope he is at a better place.

Sydneysider · Oct 25, 04, 3:01 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSASuper

What does TSA have to do with it? sigh

It is a security issue in that he had access to a part of the aircraft/airport that he clearly should not have. Obviously in this case the flight originated in the Caribbean so it isn't relevant, but I was making a tongue-in-cheek remark against the TSA's idiotic policies nonetheless.

Dambus · Oct 26, 04, 7:58 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dovster

I'm sorry to be a killjoy but I imagine this is a case where a person who could never afford the airfare lost his life in an attempt to escape his poverty and go to America.

I can not see the humor in it.

USCGamecock · Oct 27, 04, 12:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dovster

I'm sorry to be a killjoy but I imagine this is a case where a person who could never afford the airfare lost his life in an attempt to escape his poverty and go to America.

I can not see the humor in it.

More than likely some other genius told him it was a safe way to get to the USA.

underpressure · Oct 27, 04, 1:27 pm

When I posted the thread, I was thinking along the lines of Dov (God forbid, thinking like him!)