Man Found Stowed Away In Plane Land Gear After Flight From Guatemala To US

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) agency confirmed that a man was found in the landing gear on a flight from Guatemala to Miami.

WTVJ-TV posted a video taken of the man at Miami International Airport shortly after the plane landed. 

CBP said in a statement:

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Miami International Airport apprehended a 26-year-old man who attempted to evade detection in the landing gear compartment of an aircraft arriving from Guatemala Saturday morning. The individual was evaluated by emergency medical services and taken to a hospital for medical assessment. This incident remains under investigation.” 

American Airlines issued a statement saying its Flight 1182 from Guatemala City to Miami arrived shortly after 10 a.m. local time and "was met by law enforcement due to a security issue." 

The airline gave no further details, except to say it was assisting in the investigation.

The Guatemala-to-Miami trip is a flight of just over 2 1/2 hours.

Reuters reports that according to the FAA, 129 people have attempted to stow away in the wheel wells or other areas of commercial aircraft worldwide since 1947.

Of those, the agency said, 100 have died of injuries or exposure. 


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