Stowaway, 16, survives in wheel well at FL380

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By: Anonymous (not verified) - 21st April 2014 at 16:37 - Edited 10th April 2020 at 19:45

A bit hard to believe but so the story goes :

Read it here

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By: fah619 - 22nd April 2014 at 01:50 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

27 Vet:

Good day!

Interesting story as told! I think like the previous comment says he was prob inside the baggage compartment area. I believe that area is a bit warmer. This one lucky fellow does not remember what happened. We also do not know the long term outcome of the trip. Some snakes have been also found inside aircraft!! Missing cats also! It was after all a good landing! There has to be more details!!

By: Anonymous - 22nd April 2014 at 08:56 Permalink - Edited 10th April 2020 at 19:36

Hello fah619!
I will try to find the FAA report. I don't know the Boeing 767 well, but he could have been near a hot bleed air duct since the engines are wing mounted and the bleed air would pass through the wheel well area. That could be why he didn't freeze to death. The bleed air temperature is as hot as 400 degrees when it leaves the engine and is cooled progressively through the system.

By: Anonymous - 22nd April 2014 at 17:46 Permalink - Edited 10th April 2020 at 19:36

This reporter is demonstrating where the stowaway sat, as you can see there is a big bleed air duct above his head, the air passing through it would probably be around 200°C. It will be very interesting to see the FAA report but that is a few months away.

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By: fah619 - 22nd April 2014 at 21:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

27 Vet:

This case is getting a bit more interesting with the passage of time. You may be right, if he was inside the L/wheel well, that area may be a lot warmer than previously thought. The only prob is surviving for so long (5 hrs) w/o O2?? Some Drs are a bit perplexed by it. Believe it or not there are a few case studies on these incidents.

The latest info on this side of the world is that the adventure about going to Hawaii was a random act. Did he leave a note for his parents?? where a 15-16 yr old get this idea from?? Why choose San Jose Airport?

2 B Cont....

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By: TomcatViP - 22nd April 2014 at 23:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

Some low cost airlines are alrdy probably looking how to fit (and charge) for an extra passenger seat in there ;)

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By: J Boyle - 23rd April 2014 at 11:11 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00

The latest info on this side of the world is that the adventure about going to Hawaii was a random act. Did he leave a note for his parents?? where a 15-16 yr old get this idea from?? Why choose San Jose Airport?
2 B Cont....

The latest is he was trying to visit his mother in Somalia...

By: Anonymous - 10th May 2014 at 20:47 Permalink - Edited 10th April 2020 at 19:36

They released a video from a security camera. It indeed shows him exiting the wheel well.