Do stowaways on airplanes ever survive?

Question

I was just reading about a guy found in the wheel well of a plane at LAX. Do people actually ever survive a trip like that?

Answer 1

Not in the wheel well. A jet's cruising altitude is usually 30,000-35,000 feet or so, which is higher than Mt. Everest and roughly 6-7 miles in the air. Which means that the air pressure and temperature make it almost impossible to survive (people who climb Mt. Everest have to bring oxygen in order to survive and also wear special clothing). Besides a plane travels at several hundred miles per hour so that's not safe at all. You're more likely to survive in the baggage compartment but of course you'd never make it past security these days.

Answer 2

Yes, but it is rare. There was a guy about 6 or 7 years ago who survived in the wheel well of a flight from the South Pacific to LAX. His core body temperature upon landing was 79 degrees. He lived--but just barely--and was deported as soon as he was released from the hospital.

The majority of people that we know about die. The question is whether they die from lack of oxygen or from exposure first. Also, if the stowaway picks the wrong place in the wheel well to hide, he/she could be crushed by the wheel assembly.

Answer 3

Not likely in the wheel well. There isn't much room in the well once the gear is retracted on most transport aircraft. Flights for a fairly long duration will be at high altitudes where the temps are very cold and there isn't enough oxygen to survive more than a few minutes.

Answer 4

possibly for survival if stowing away in a cargo compartment if the compartment is being pressurized in a wheel well no that would be certain death

Answer 5

Not in the wheel well compartment, you'll most likely freeze to death. If you manage to get in the cargo pit you'll make it ok if the air marshalls don't shoot you first.

Answer 6

Possible, but highly unlikely.