A shocking incident recently unfolded when a 13-year-old boy from Kunduz, Afghanistan, attempted to cross the border by hiding inside the landing gear compartment of a commercial aircraft. The event took place on a KAM Air flight from Kabul to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, India.
A Dangerous Journey from Kabul
According to airport sources, the boy managed to bypass airport security and sneak into the restricted area of Kabul Airport. He then chose one of the most perilous hiding spots imaginable: the rear central landing gear compartment of the aircraft. The flight lasted nearly two hours, climbing to altitudes of over 10,000 meters, where temperatures plummet to dozens of degrees below zero and oxygen levels are critically low. Under such extreme conditions, survival is almost impossible.
Yet, in what many call a miracle, the boy not only survived but was able to walk out near the aircraft after landing in New Delhi. His presence around the plane quickly drew the attention of airline staff, who apprehended him and handed him over to security forces for questioning.
An Unexpected Reason
During interrogation, the boy revealed that his actions were not motivated by a desire to escape, nor by criminal or terrorist intentions. His explanation surprised many: it was driven purely by curiosity. He wanted to experience the feeling of flying and to see a world beyond his troubled homeland.
Still, his “innocent” attempt highlighted serious concerns about aviation security, showing that even a child could bypass tight controls at one of Afghanistan’s most important airports.
Security Measures and Official Response
After the discovery, Indian security forces conducted a thorough inspection of the aircraft. Inside the landing gear compartment, they found a small red speaker, believed to belong to the boy. Comprehensive anti-sabotage and technical checks were carried out before the aircraft was cleared for service.
As for the boy, Indian authorities decided to deport him the same day. He was placed on the return flight back to Kabul.
Risks and Lessons Learned
Aviation experts emphasized that stowing away in the landing gear compartment is not only illegal but also life-threatening. History has recorded many such attempts ending in death from freezing, oxygen deprivation, or being crushed when the landing gear retracted. The Afghan boy’s survival is considered extraordinarily rare—more a stroke of luck than something that could ever be repeated safely.
The incident also raises critical questions about security at Kabul Airport, where a child was able to breach restricted zones and reach a commercial jet. Experts insist that tighter controls are needed, as even the smallest lapse can create significant risks to flight safety.
Conclusion
The story of the 13-year-old boy from Kunduz reflects both a desperate curiosity to escape his war-torn homeland and a sobering warning about aviation vulnerabilities. While his survival may be viewed as miraculous, it serves as a stark reminder: in aviation, security can never be compromised, because even seemingly harmless actions can expose hundreds of lives to danger.
