Importance Score: 65 / 100 🔴
Man Discovered in Landing Gear of Parked Aircraft at Milan Bergamo Airport
A man was recently discovered inside the landing gear compartment of a parked airplane at Milan Bergamo Airport, sparking a security investigation and raising concerns about airport security. The incident, captured in a video, shows the individual being escorted away by authorities. This occurrence highlights the dangers associated with attempting to stow away on aircraft, particularly within the unpressurized and unheated confines of a plane’s undercarriage.
Discovery and Initial Response
The individual, believed to be a non-Italian national, gained unauthorized entry into the undercarriage of an aircraft stationed at the Milan Bergamo Airport. A pilot first noticed the man and alerted airport police to the unusual situation.
- Two officers approached the individual, who remains unidentified, and engaged in conversation before escorting him from the area.
- Following the incident, the man underwent comprehensive security checks.
Official Statement from Airport Management
Sacbo, the company managing Milan Bergamo Airport, issued a formal statement addressing the incident:
‘In the early hours of Monday, April 21st, during ground handling operations for an aircraft parked on the apron of Milan Bergamo Airport, the presence of an unauthorized person was reported.’
- ‘The subject, male, was taken into care by the Border Police for identification.’
- ‘Sacbo, as the entity responsible for airport security, initiated immediate checks of the surveillance and alarm system that detects any intrusions along the perimeter of the airport grounds, confirming its correct functioning and alert capacity.’
- ‘The episode did not have any consequences for operational activities, nor did it create situations of danger to the safety of passengers and airport personnel.’
The Perils of Hiding in Landing Gear
Had the individual not been detected, the consequences could have been fatal. The landing gear compartment poses extreme risks:
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- Lack of pressurization and heating.
- Temperatures can drop far below freezing at high altitudes.
Past Incidents and FAA Data
This is not an isolated incident. There have been other cases of individuals attempting to hide in aircraft wheel wells, often with tragic outcomes. Consider these aviation safety incidents:
Previous Cases
- Earlier in the year, two teenagers were found deceased in the landing gear of a plane at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
- In December, a body was discovered in the landing gear compartment of a United Airlines plane after landing in Hawaii.
FAA Statistics
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has compiled data on such incidents. The facts regarding wheel well stowaways:
- The FAA has tracked 128 cases of individuals attempting to hide in plane wheel wells internationally from 1947 to 2020.
- Over 75% of these attempts resulted in death due to the extreme conditions, including hypothermia, oxygen deprivation, and the risk of being crushed by the landing gear mechanisms.
The Harsh Conditions at Altitude
As an aircraft ascends, the environment within the landing gear compartment becomes progressively more hostile with these flight risks:
- Oxygen levels decrease dramatically, impairing consciousness.
- External temperatures can plummet to as low as -75 to -80 degrees Fahrenheit, severely affecting blood circulation.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding how the individual gained access to the aircraft at Milan Bergamo Airport. The Milanese Police were contacted for further statements regarding airport security.