Flight Risk

Published December 12, 2012

The family of a teenager who stowed away in the wheel well of a Boeing 737 jet at an airport in Charlotte, North Carolina and fell to this death after the plane took off is suing the city, its airport, and the airline for negligence.

The 16-year-old accessed the airport and climbed into the wheel well but didn’t fall until the jet neared its destination in Boston. The suit alleges the defendants should have done more to prevent his access.

“The city remains saddened by the death,” the city attorney said, expressing sympathy for the family. “However, I don’t see how the city or the airport could or should be held legally liable for Mr. Tisdale’s decisions and actions.”

Source: “Family of teen who fell from wheel well of jet sues US Airways, others,” Associated Press, November 15, 2012