Despite an alert airline crew, a Nigerian teenager was nevertheless able to hop a ride in the wheel well of an airliner – and survive. According to a story in the Nigerian news publication Leadership, the Arik Air flight departed Benin Airport for Lagos, only a 30-minute hop. As the crew taxied for takeoff, they spotted the boy hiding in bushes near the runway and alerted the tower. They were assured airport security personnel would take care of the situation.
As they turned to the active runway, passengers alerted the crew that the boy was running toward the aircraft. The captain informed the tower controllers, who again assured him security personnel were on scene, and cleared the flight for takeoff.
