• A stowaway was found dead in the landing gear of an American Airlines plane in Charlotte.
• The flight had arrived from Europe; the investigation is ongoing.
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police are involved, alongside the airline's cooperation.
• Similar incidents have raised concerns about stowaway safety and airport security.
• The cause of death and stowaway's identity remain unknown.

A stowaway was found dead in the landing gear compartment of an American Airlines flight that had recently arrived from Europe. The discovery was made by maintenance staff at Charlotte Douglas International Airport shortly after 9 a.m. on Sunday, September 28, according to police reports. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene, prompting an investigation by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) including homicide detectives, as affirmed by CBS News and NPR.

Both American Airlines and Charlotte Douglas International Airport expressed their sadness regarding the incident and stated they would support the ongoing investigation. Currently, there are no details about how the stowaway accessed the aircraft or their identity. Experts highlight that stowing away in such conditions is life-threatening due to severe cold and lack of oxygen at cruising altitudes, noted by The Hill and Channel News Asia.

Stowaway incidents are rare, but they raise significant security concerns. Earlier this year, cases included stowaways found dead in landing gear compartments of other aircraft, as seen with JetBlue and United Airlines flights. This underscores the dangers faced by individuals attempting to hide in such perilous locations, as cited by Africanews and Channel News Asia.