Stowaway emerges from plane wheel well after Guatemala to Miami flight
Officials say that a stowaway was found in the cockpit of an American Airlines flight departing from Guatemala and hid there for almost three hours until he arrived at Miami International Airport.
Officials told the Miami Herald that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol apprehended the 26-year old before transporting him to a nearby hospital. This incident is still under investigation.
Video obtained by social media account Only in DadeThe video shows employees at airport helping the man with his dirty clothes to get down so they can offer him water. This video shows how the small mechanical compartment in which the man had hidden himself is shown.
“Persons are taking extreme risks when they try to conceal themselves in confined spaces such as an aircraft,” CBP said in a statement.
The passenger was on American Airlines flight 1182 from Guatemala City, Miami for about 2 hours and 50 mins. He was hidden in a landing gear compartment.
It landed just before 10:10 on Saturday.
“We are working with law enforcement in their investigation,” American Airlines said in a statement. The paper also reported that Miami-Dade Police said they will be supporting CBP’s investigation.