Body found in wheel well of BA plane

Thursday, 1 January 2004 12:08 AM

The stowaway's body, found in the wheel compartment of a British Airways plane, was that of a Nigerian man, the airline says.

Officials said the man probably climbed into the wheel well when the plane was in Lagos, Nigeria, on Christmas Eve.

The body was found on Tuesday afternoon at New York's JFK Airport after flight BA177 landed from London Heathrow.

The man, who was wearing only shoes and trousers, had Nigerian currency in his pocket.

BA spokesman said: "The body was discovered during refuelling and this led to the return flight - BA 174 - being delayed for a couple of hours.

"The incident is being investigated by police in New York."

The BA flight left Heathrow at around 1330GMT yesterday and landed in New York at about 1615pm local time.

The FBI, New York Port Authority, Queens district attorney's office and Transportation Security Administration are jointly investigating the death.

Last week, the body of a man in his 20s was found in the wheel well of an American Airlines jet after it arrived from Jamaica at the same Airport.

Chris Yates, aviation safety and security editor with Jane's Transport, said last night: "This discovery underscores the need for every airline to be vigilant on aircraft security, as well as with passengers. It is incumbent in these extreme times for airlines to check every aircraft thoroughly."

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