In a rare and alarming incident, a 13-year-old Afghan boy was discovered at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport after surviving a flight hidden in the wheel well of a Kam Air aircraft from Kabul.

The boy reportedly concealed himself in the rear landing gear compartment of Kam Air flight RQ-4401, which departed from Kabul and landed in Delhi after a 94-minute journey. Upon arrival, ground staff noticed the teenager walking on the airport apron near the aircraft and immediately alerted security agencies.

A subsequent inspection of the landing gear bay revealed a small red speaker believed to have been carried by the boy. The child, who hails from Kunduz, Afghanistan, was taken into custody by security personnel and questioned by airport authorities, CISF, and immigration officials. Later the same day, he was repatriated to Afghanistan on another flight.

Grave Risks of Wheel-Well Stowaways

Experts note that the landing gear compartment is among the most dangerous places to stow away. It is unpressurised, exposed to freezing temperatures, and has extremely low oxygen levels at cruising altitudes. Many such attempts result in death due to hypoxia, hypothermia, or being crushed by the retracting landing gear. Survivors of such journeys are extremely rare.

Aviation Security Under Review

The incident has raised serious questions about airport perimeter and aircraft security in Kabul. Authorities are reviewing how the teenager managed to access the restricted airside area and hide inside the landing gear bay before departure.

This case adds to the small but troubling list of global stowaway incidents, highlighting both the desperation of individuals fleeing difficult conditions and the pressing need for enhanced aviation safety measures.