Police were today investigating whether a man found dead in the wheel bay of a passenger jet was the same man arrested at Gatwick three days ago for breaching security regulations.

A young stowaway was discovered in a rear wheel bay of a US Airways Boeing 767-200 shortly before 9pm local time on Monday at San Francisco.

A man fitting his description was caught trying to gain access to a plane at Gatwick on Sunday. He was arrested and released on bail.

Sussex Police, who believe it may be the same person, were due to fax his fingerprints to police in America.

Ground crews at San Francisco discovered the body during a routine inspection of the Boeing.

Flight US741 left Gatwick at 12.14pm on Monday and arrived at its destination - Pittsburgh - at 4pm local time.

It then flew on to San Francisco to begin a routine internal flight back to Pittsburgh.

Sussex Police said the man was found wearing Gatwick ground crew overalls but that no members of staff were missing.

PC Kevin Clark said: "We arrested a young Afro-Caribbean man at Gatwick on Sunday for breaching security. He was found air-side. The man found on the jet matches his description so it could be the same one.

"We are working with US Airways and the police in San Francisco.

"It is quite unusual for people to try to get out of the UK. Most try to get in. It seems as if these people have no idea of the consequences of climbing onto a plane, which flies at 35,000 feet and at -40C. Most people would realise it was a hopeless situation."

US Airways spokesman John Ellis said: "We are co-operating fully with the police. It is a police matter."