- A deceased individual was found in the wheel well of a United Airlines flight that landed in Maui from Chicago.
- The extreme flight conditions, including low oxygen levels and freezing temperatures, pose significant risks to stowaways.
- The Maui Police Department is investigating the incident, which occurred during a busy holiday travel period.
- This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in aviation security and the risks associated with stowing away on flights.
In a shocking incident that unfolded on Christmas Eve, a deceased individual was discovered in the landing gear compartment, also known as the wheel well, of a United Airlines Boeing 787-10 aircraft. The aircraft had just landed at Kahului Airport in Maui, marking the end of United Airlines Flight 202’s journey from Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The flight had previously flown from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Chicago, raising questions about the deceased’s point of entry into the aircraft.
The circumstances surrounding the individual’s access to the wheel well area remain unclear. This area is only accessible from outside the aircraft, suggesting that the deceased may have stowed away prior to the flight’s departure. The extreme conditions during flight, including temperatures that can drop to 75 to 80 degrees below zero, pose significant risks to stowaways, including frostbite and hypothermia.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has previously highlighted the dangers associated with stowing away in wheel storage compartments. The low oxygen levels and extreme temperatures make survival extremely rare. In fact, over 77% of attempted stowaways perish during flight, according to the FAA.
Investigation Underway Amidst Busy Holiday Season
The Maui Police Department is actively investigating the incident. However, the identity of the deceased individual has not been released. The discovery of the body coincided with one of the busiest holiday travel periods, with an estimated 54 million passengers expected to fly between December 19 and January 6.
This incident is not the first of its kind. In the past, stowaways have faced nearly insurmountable obstacles due to the harsh conditions in the wheel wells. The low oxygen levels at high altitudes and the lack of shelter from extreme temperatures often result in hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) and hypothermia. These conditions can lead to unconsciousness or even death.
Historical Precedents Highlight Ongoing Risk
In a similar incident in 2019, a stowaway fell from a Kenya Airways flight as it prepared to land, narrowly missing a sunbather in a garden in Clapham, South London. The force of the body falling from the airplane dented paving slabs and astro-turf, leaving a massive dent. The sunbather, a man in his twenties, was so shocked by the incident that he moved elsewhere.
The incident in Maui serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with stowing away on flights. The FAA and other aviation authorities continue to work on measures to prevent such incidents, but the allure of illegal immigration or the desperation of certain individuals often outweighs the risks.
As investigations continue into the Maui incident, the aviation industry and law enforcement agencies will undoubtedly be looking for ways to enhance security and prevent future tragedies. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the aviation industry in ensuring the safety and security of all those who come into contact with aircraft, whether they are passengers, crew, or unauthorized individuals.