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Blue_Tires

(55,445 posts)

12. It's more common than you think

Mon Apr 21, 2014, 12:17 PM

Apr 2014

Last edited Mon Apr 21, 2014, 03:00 PM - Edit history (1)

Many people have used the method to flee a war-torn or oppressive country (especially in Africa or South Asia, where the airport security is pretty slack) but the survival rate with this stunt is very, very low...As others have noted people suffocate, freeze, fall out when the gear door open, or select the wrong type of plane and get crushed by the machinery...The gruesome stuff doesn't always make the news for obvious reasons...

EDIT: Out of the documented cases (including this one), landing gear stowaways are batting 24 for 100

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/travel/dead-wheel-well-stowaway-went-undiscovered-7-flights-f6C10287982

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13 replies

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Highlight:

Teen Stowaway Survives 5-Hour Hawaii Flight In Jet Wheel Well [View all] IDemo Apr 2014 OP

Damn... Amazing that he survived. hlthe2b Apr 2014 #1

Wow. He must have been wearing his thermal undies. catbyte Apr 2014 #2

The temperatures at 38,000 feet are extreme liberal N proud Apr 2014 #3

Well, hypothermia may have protected him against anoxia Yo_Mama Apr 2014 #4

That is amazing. nt Gemini Cat Apr 2014 #5

It's more common than you think Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #12

Damn - high altitude mountaineers acclimate for weeks to survive the low air pressure on top of MillennialDem Apr 2014 #6

No dkhbrit Apr 2014 #7

Maybe he had nothing to lose ... Wernothelpless Apr 2014 #13

So who's going to lose their job skepticscott Apr 2014 #8

Maybe he looked like a ramper? Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #11

He'll be lucky if he's not brain damaged SoapBox Apr 2014 #9

dumb...and damn near suicidal Blue_Tires Apr 2014 #10