Mystery stowaway found frozen to death in plane landing gear at Gatwick
A mystery stowaway was found frozen to death in the landing gear of a plane at Gatwick, an inquest heard.
The unnamed man was discovered in the wheel compartment of the Air Arabia plane from Morocco in June.
Horsham Coroner’s Court was told he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest, followed by hypoxia and hypothermia.
West Sussex Brighton and Hove Area Coroner Joseph Turner said inside the wheel compartment would have been extremely cold and there would have been a lack of oxygen.
He formally opened the inquest on the basis he had “reason to believe this death was unnatural”.
The hearing was told the man is yet to be identified as inquiries continue to establish his name.
He was found by a ground engineer at Gatwick, who spotted a packing strap hanging out of the wheel compartment.
The Air Arabia Airbus A320 has flown from Tangier on June 16.
Mr Turner adjourned the full inquest until February 4, 2027.
At the time of the horror, a Gatwick spokesperson said: “London Gatwick’s emergency services attended an Air Arabia aircraft just after 11.30am on Tuesday June 16 2026 when an incident was identified upon arrival.
“As Sussex Police have confirmed, a body was found. Our teams subsequently supported Sussex Police and the coroner.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected.”
World Affairs Correspondent
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