Stowaway Found Dead on SF Jet

Tucked in wheel well on frozen flight from Shanghai

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 20, 2007 8:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – The body of a middle-aged Asian man tucked into the wheel well of a United Airlines flight from Shanghai was found shortly after landing at San Francisco Airport yesterday. He is likely to have died of exposure or asphyxiation during the 11-hour flight, when temperatures can plummet to -40 degrees, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

The man was dressed in several layers of clothing and carrying a small amount of foreign currency and medication. Investigators are seeking his identity. "Most stowaway attempts end tragically," said an official. "People either freeze to death, are crushed to death, or asphyxiated." Since 1947 there have been 74 known stowaway attempts worldwide; only 14 survived.

Air France Boeing 747 ((c) ReneS)

Jumbo 747 ((c) acebal)

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Related Articles

United Airlines • stowaway

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

To Pinch Pennies, Nonstop Flights ... Stop

United is using smaller plane to fly trans-Atlantic ... and stiff winds spell trouble

United Flight's Engine Shuts Down in Mid-Air

Plane makes emergency landing in Colorado

Airline Bag Fees Hit $400

At least for an overweight international bag on some airlines

Airlines Banning Short-Faced Dogs

Bulldogs, pugs, boxers prone to overheating during hot flights

United Computers Crash, Strand Thousands

Airline blames 'network connectivity'

About Us

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Newser By Users

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