A body was discovered in the wheel well of a United Airlines Boeing 787-10 aircraft after it landed in Hawaii on 24 December.
The discovery was made during a post-flight inspection of the aircraft at Maui’s Kahului Airport.
The aircraft, a Boeing 787-10 had been operating as United flight UA202. It had originally departed from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
The Maui Police Department is investigating the incident. Ground staff found the body in the wheel well of one of the main landing gears. The wheel well is only accessible from outside the aircraft, raising questions about how and when the person entered the compartment.
The identity of the deceased person is unknown at this time.
Investigation Underway
This incident highlights the dangers of stowaways attempting to hide in aircraft wheel wells for clandestine journeys. The extreme temperatures and lack of oxygen in the wheel well make it a dangerous and often deadly place to be.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing. The Maui Police Department is working to determine the identity of the deceased person and how they came to be in the wheel well. The Department issued a brief statement confirming the investigation.
“The Maui Police Department is currently conducting an active investigation regarding a deceased individual discovered on an incoming flight from the mainland this afternoon.”
United Airlines Statement
United Airlines released a statement saying that they are aware of the incident and are cooperating with law enforcement. The airline also said that they are working to support their employees and passengers who were on the flight.
The aircraft conducting the UA202 rotation to Hawaii from Chicago was a Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, registered N12010. This is a 5.1 year old widebody aircraft delonging to the carrier United Airlines. It has been in operational service with the airline since its initial delivery from the factory in December 2019.
This is a developing story. More information will be released as it becomes available.
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