Horror as dead body found inside landing gear of American Airlines plane

Illustrative photo of American Airlines planes. (Image: Getty)

The dead body of a "stowaway" was found in the landing gear of an American Airlines plane, prompting an investigation, police in the US said. The aircraft had touched down at North Carolina's Charlotte-Douglas International Airport on Sunday morning, having arrived from Europe, according to a press release from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The grim discovery was made while maintenance was being carried out on the commercial jet. The individual, who has not been named, was declared dead at the scene.

CLT Airport entrance (Image: Getty)

In the news release on Sunday (September 28) the force said: "Detectives with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s Homicide Unit are conducting a death investigation in the 5000 block of Hangar Road in the Airport Division.

"On Sunday, September 28 shortly after 9 a.m., while performing maintenance on an American Airlines plane that had recently arrived from Europe, a stowaway was located in the landing gear.

"The subject was pronounced deceased on scene by CMPD’s Airport Division officers.

"Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene to conduct an investigation, and Crime Scene Search responded to process the scene and collect physical evidence," the force continued.

"Representatives from CMPD’s Operations Command and MEDIC also assisted."

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

American Airlines said in a statement shared with ABC News that they are "working with law enforcement on its investigation".

Airport authorities said: "We are deeply saddened by this news and will support the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's (CMPD) investigation as needed.

They added: "Airport operations continue as normal."