Afghan Teenager Stows Away in Aircraft Landing Gear, Arrives in Delhi Driven by Curiosity
New Delhi, India – September 23, 2025 – In an unusual incident, a 13-year-old Afghan boy remarkably survived a two-hour flight concealed within the landing gear compartment of a KAM Air aircraft, arriving at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi. The event, which occurred on sunday, September 22nd, 2025, has raised significant security concerns and highlighted the desperation that can drive such risky actions.
According to official sources, the boy, a resident of Kunduz city in Afghanistan, managed to infiltrate Kabul Airport and clandestinely access the rear central landing gear compartment of flight RQ-4401, operated by KAM Air. Upon landing at IGI Airport around 11:00 am on Sunday, airline personnel discovered the teenager wandering near the aircraft.
The boy was immediately apprehended by airline staff and subsequently handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) stationed at Terminal 3 for questioning.During interrogation, the boy revealed his actions were motivated by “curiosity,” explaining he simply wanted to experience the journey.
“He explained to officials that he had snuck into the Kabul airport and managed to gain access to the aircraft’s landing gear compartment,” a source stated. “His description centered around a desire for adventure and curiosity.”
Following questioning, the boy was repatriated to afghanistan on the same KAM Air flight that had brought him to Delhi, departing around 12:30 pm on Sunday.
A subsequent security inspection of the landing gear compartment revealed a small, red-colored speaker, believed to have been carried by the teenager. Authorities conducted a thorough anti-sabotage check of the aircraft, ultimately declaring it safe for further operation.
This incident underscores the vulnerabilities within airport security protocols and the lengths to which individuals may go in pursuit of a different life or,in this case,driven by youthful curiosity. while the boy’s motivations appear benign, the event serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with unauthorized access to aircraft and the importance of maintaining robust security measures at airports globally. Further examination is highly likely to be conducted to determine how the boy was able to bypass security at Kabul Airport and access the aircraft undetected.
Published: September 23, 2025, 07:06 am IST