Afghan Teenager Survives Flight to Delhi Hidden in Plane's Landing Gear

22 September, 2025

A 13-year-old Afghan boy was discovered at Delhi's IGI Airport after making a perilous two-hour journey from Kabul hidden inside the landing gear compartment of a KAM Airlines aircraft. The boy, a native of Kunduz, told officials he stowed away out of "curiosity." After being apprehended by airline staff, he was questioned by security forces. Following a thorough inspection of the aircraft, the teenager was safely repatriated to Afghanistan on the same flight later that day.

Unpacked:

How dangerous is it to travel in an aircraft's landing gear compartment, and how often do people survive such journeys?

Traveling in a landing gear compartment is extremely dangerous due to hypoxia, hypothermia, and risk of injury or falling. Over 75% of stowaway cases in wheel wells end in death, with survival being exceptionally rare.

How was the 13-year-old boy able to access the restricted area at Kabul airport and hide in the plane undetected?

The boy managed to sneak into Kabul airport and climb into the landing gear without being detected, raising concerns about security lapses at the airport. Authorities are investigating how such a breach was possible.

Why was the boy repatriated to Afghanistan so quickly after being discovered in Delhi?

After a brief investigation and questioning by Indian security and immigration officials, the boy was swiftly deported to Afghanistan the same day, likely due to immigration regulations and the absence of any asylum claim.

Have there been similar stowaway incidents in the past, and what were their outcomes?

Yes, wheel well stowaway cases have been reported globally, including a 1996 incident in India. Most attempts end fatally due to extreme conditions, with very few survivors.

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