13-Year-Old Afghan Boy Found in Aircraft Landing Gear in Delhi

Post by : Meena Rani

In a shocking yet unusual incident, a 13-year-old boy from Afghanistan landed in Delhi after sneaking into the landing gear compartment of a KAM Airlines flight from Kabul. Officials said the incident occurred on Sunday morning when the aircraft, flight RQ-4401, touched down at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) around 11 am.
The teenager, a resident of Kunduz city in northern Afghanistan, reportedly climbed into the rear central landing gear compartment of the aircraft at Kabul airport. Authorities believe the boy acted purely out of curiosity, though the potential dangers of such an act are significant.

Airport and airline officials first became aware of the situation when the flight landed. Airline staff noticed a young boy roaming near the aircraft and immediately informed the airport’s security control room. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel quickly intervened, bringing the boy to Terminal 3 for questioning.
During the inquiry, the boy explained how he managed to sneak past security at Kabul airport and hide inside the landing gear compartment. He admitted that he had no ill intentions and was motivated solely by curiosity.

Officials conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft’s landing gear compartment. They found a small red-colored speaker, which the boy had apparently carried with him. Thankfully, there were no damages to the plane, and anti-sabotage checks confirmed that the aircraft was completely safe for operations.

Given the boy’s minor age, authorities decided to send him back to Afghanistan the same day. He boarded the same KAM Airlines flight for repatriation, which departed around 12:30 pm. Airline and airport officials emphasized that despite the unusual nature of the incident, the situation was handled safely without any harm to the boy or the aircraft.

This incident has raised serious concerns about airport security at Kabul, especially in preventing unauthorized access to sensitive areas like aircraft landing gear compartments. Aviation experts say that although stowaways in landing gear compartments are rare, such attempts can be extremely dangerous due to exposure to freezing temperatures, lack of oxygen, and high-speed takeoff and landing stresses. Survival in such circumstances is often uncertain.

Experts also stressed the need for strict security measures and thorough screening at airports to prevent such incidents in the future. Even though this particular case ended safely, the potential risk to life and the operational hazards for flights cannot be understated.

Airlines and airport authorities around the world have reported rare cases of stowaways in landing gear compartments, most of whom are often young men or teenagers seeking to migrate illegally. Survival rates are very low, highlighting the extreme danger involved. The Delhi incident, therefore, underscores both the bravery and recklessness of the teenager and the critical importance of aviation security.

While the boy’s story has captured attention due to its unusual nature, it also serves as a reminder of the human curiosity that can sometimes lead to risky decisions. The airport authorities in Delhi have confirmed that all safety protocols were followed and that the aircraft was cleared for its next operations without delay.

The KAM Airlines spokesperson said that the airline is reviewing the incident internally and working with Afghan authorities to ensure that similar occurrences are prevented. “We are relieved that the young boy is safe and that the aircraft was unharmed. Safety is our top priority, and we are taking all necessary measures to ensure it remains so,” the spokesperson said.

This event comes amid growing concerns about airport security in certain regions. Authorities have called for stricter measures, enhanced surveillance, and better fencing around airport perimeters to prevent unauthorized access. The Delhi airport authorities confirmed that they would also report the matter to international aviation bodies to highlight the security gap at Kabul airport.

For now, the 13-year-old is safely back in Afghanistan, and the incident remains a rare but stark example of how youthful curiosity, combined with inadequate security measures, can create unexpected challenges for aviation authorities.

KAM Airlines incident, Flight landing gear stowaway, Airport security breach