A 15-year-old boy who stowed away in the wheel well of a Hawaiian Airlines jet that traveled from San Jose, Calif., to Maui on Sunday has been released to Child Protective Services and will soon be reunited with his family, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Hawaiian Airlines personnel noticed the boy on the ramp at Kahului Airport after the arrival of Hawaiian Air Flight 45 at 10:31 a.m. and notified airport security. A Hawaii News Now report said the boy had passed out during the flight and was dazed and disheveled when he was found.
The FBI confirmed the boy’s story that he had stowed away on the jet after arguing with his family.
"It’s amazing that he survived being up at 38,000 feet, in 80-below-zero temperature, with little oxygen," said FBI spokesman Tom Simon.
A medical examination found that the boy did not suffer any significant health problems as a result of the experience.
The boy, whose name has not been released, was not charged with any crime.
In a statement released Sunday evening, the airline said, "Our primary concern now is for the wellbeing of the boy, who is exceptionally lucky to have survived. Hawaiian and its contractors responsible for handling our aircraft in San Jose are ready to assist various government agencies in their investigation of this incident."
Hawaiian Air 45 left San Jose at 8:03 a.m. California time, or 5:03 a.m. Hawaii time, and arrived in Kahului five hours and 15 minutes later. It spent four hours and 45 minutes at a cruising altitude of 38,000 to 40,000 feet, according to flightaware.com.
