My final aviation story is on the bizarre event that has graced the news recently- the story of a 15-year old boy who hid in a plane's wheel well, and survived a 5 1/2 hour long flight. He had runaway from home at least 36 hours previously, and hopped an old airport fence in San Jose, California during the night to get to a Boeing 767. He spent most of the flight unconscious due to low oxygen and freezing temperatures, but awoke when the plane landed. Authorities say he is lucky to be alive. Although this sort of scheme is not unheard of, most people who attempt it do not survive. Since 1947, worldwide, it is thought that around 105 people have tried to stow themselves away in flights- with a 76% survival rate (Federal Aviation Administration).
Needless to say, the boy (whose name has not been released) was extremely lucky to survive the flight from San Jose to Maui, Hawaii. Because he was unconscious, it was said that he could not tell tales of his journey afterwards. Officials have said that his family was notified, and they assured the family members that they would get him home safely. No legal action is being planned against the boy.
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