A stowaway died in the landing gear of an American Airlines plane upon landing in Charlotte on September 28, 2025.

A stowaway was found dead in the landing gear of an American Airlines plane upon its arrival at Charlotte Douglas International Airport on Sunday, September 28, 2025, after a transatlantic flight. Maintenance staff discovered the individual shortly after 9 a.m., and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police confirmed the person was dead at the scene. The cause of death remains unknown, and an investigation is ongoing. American Airlines is cooperating with authorities, but no details about the individual’s identity, origin, or circumstances have been released. The landing gear compartment is unpressurized and extremely cold, making survival during such a flight nearly impossible. The incident has drawn attention to the dangers of stowaway attempts on commercial aircraft.