Unsolved for 37 Years: Likely a Child Died in the Aircraft's Landing Gear on a Mallorca Flight

An incident from 1988 remains unsolved to this day: During the approach to Palma, human remains were found in the landing gear bay. The circumstances raise further questions.

A discovery that no one forgets

These are images you can't easily shake off: a landing-gear door opening, and the crew encountering traces and remnants of blood. Thus began 37 years ago a case that was never fully resolved on Mallorca.

The flight and the alarm signal

On the evening of November 11, 1988, a Boeing took off in Hanover for a red-eye to Palma. About 111 people aboard, many on their way to a tourism congress – normal scenes, one might think. But shortly before the planned landing an alarm sounded in the cockpit: a landing gear could not be extended.

The aircraft circled over the coast of Llucmajor; fire and rescue services were prepared in advance. The crew investigated the problem and opened a maintenance hatch in the cargo area.

Heavy discovery and trace search

Behind the hatch investigators found remains, blood traces, and between the metal parts a single trapped leg. Between the engines lay a plastic ring and a candy – small, tragic clues that fed the assumption that it was a child who had slipped into the landing gear as a stowaway.

The mechanics eventually freed the gear. The aircraft landed thereafter without further complications; the Guardia Civil took over the trace evidence.

Mysterious disappearance and failed search

Meanwhile in Hanover there was a missing person report for a minor, but he soon returned home safely – thus the riddle was not solved, but grew larger. Several days, search teams combed the coast at Cap Blanc and boats scoured the sea near Llucmajor, hoping to find additional remains. No success.

The investigators closed the case eventually, without a definite identity or the last moments of the victim clarified. What remained were questions and a uneasy feeling: How could a child slip onto the airport premises unnoticed and board a plane undetected?

Why the case remains

Technology, protocols and security measures were different in 1988 than today. Nevertheless the incident acts as a warning: small gaps, big consequences. For the bereaved, answers would have been important. For the island, it remained a eerie memory.

One thinks of it when you see the airport lights on a foggy November evening: it's not only aircraft, they carry stories as well.