Stowaway found dead in landing gear of an American Airline flight at CLT

Charlotte police are investigating the death of a stowaway found inside the landing gear of an American Airline plane at Charlotte Douglas Airport that recently arrived from Europe.

Crews from the airline on Sunday morning were doing maintaince 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’s 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 the 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 or Charlotte Crime Stoppers. 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.