Body found in plane wheel compartment after landing in Hawaii

Authorities are investigating the case. According to the Associated Press agency, Mauí police reported that they are “actively investigating” the case, without providing further details about who the victim was, how she got into the plane’s wheel compartment, or the causes of death.

Hiding in landing gear is a common method used by stowaways. According to the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in the United States, 132 people attempted to travel illegally in aircraft wheel compartments between 1947 and 2021. Of these, 77% died.

Victims are often crushed when landing gear is retracted. According to CNN, as the flight reaches higher altitudes, conditions worsen, when oxygen levels become extremely low, as do temperatures, and stowaway passengers even lose consciousness.