Source | CBS News
A body was discovered in the wheel well of a United Airlines Boeing 787-10 aircraft upon landing at Kahului Airport, Maui, on Tuesday, December 24, 2024. The shocking discovery was confirmed by United Airlines in a statement to CBS News.
The aircraft, United Flight 202, had departed from Chicago’s O’Hare Airport early on the same morning. Flight tracking details revealed that before arriving in Chicago, the plane had flown directly from São Paulo, Brazil. After a layover of approximately 4.5 hours in Chicago, the flight continued its journey to Maui.
“The wheel well was only accessible from outside of the aircraft. At this time, it is not clear how or when the person accessed the wheel well,” stated a United Airlines spokesperson.
The identity of the individual remains unknown, and authorities are investigating how the person managed to access the wheel well—a space that is not designed for human entry or survival due to extreme temperatures and low oxygen levels during flights.
The Maui Police Department released a statement saying: “The Maui Police Department is currently conducting an active investigation regarding a deceased individual discovered on an incoming flight from the mainland this afternoon. At this time, no further details are available.”
Authorities are working to piece together the timeline and circumstances leading to the discovery.
Key Points:
- The incident occurred on a flight from Chicago to Maui.
- The plane had previously flown from São Paulo, Brazil, before its layover.
- Access to the wheel well was only possible from outside the aircraft.
- The investigation is ongoing, with no further details disclosed at this time.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
