The bodies of two men were found on the night of January 6th in the landing gear of a JetBlue airplane at Fort Lauderdale International Airport in Florida.
The plane in which the discovery occurred had operated JetBlue flight 1801, which took off from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York at 7:30 p.m. and landed in Fort Lauderdale at 10:42 p.m., according to radar records.
The discovery occurred during the post-landing inspection conducted at terminal 3 of the airport.
"On the night of Monday, January 6, at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, two individuals were found in the landing gear compartment of one of our aircraft during a routine post-flight maintenance inspection," JetBlue reported in an official statement cited by local media.
"This is a heartbreaking situation, and we are committed to working closely with the authorities to support their efforts to understand how this happened," the airline added.
The authorities have not yet identified the victims nor clarified how they managed to access the landing gear compartment.
The spokesman for the Broward County Sheriff's Office, Carey Codd, reported that paramedics arrived at the scene around 11:30 p.m. and pronounced the victims dead at the scene.
The autopsies, conducted by the Broward County Medical Examiner's Office, will determine the exact causes of death.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Broward County Aviation Department spokesperson Arlene Satchell assured CNN that the discovery did not impact airport operations.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Fort Lauderdale government reported that the bad weather in the northeast of the country led to the cancellation of seven flights and the delay of 17 others, but these issues were not related to the discovery.
The incident highlights the extreme dangers faced by individuals attempting to travel clandestinely in the landing gear compartments of airplanes.
"This continues to happen. People are entering the airport facilities and boarding a plane, which poses a significant danger to the safety of the aircraft," stated Mary Schiavo, former inspector general of the Department of Transportation.
Schiavo admitted that although many people take these risks to escape desperate situations, unauthorized access to aircraft poses a national security issue.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States has explained on numerous occasions that these spaces, designed to house the landing gear during flight, are inhospitable.
As the plane ascends, the stowaways face the risk of being crushed, as well as losing oxygen or suffering from hypothermia due to the low temperatures.
According to a 2011 FAA report, around 80% of those who attempt to travel under these conditions do not survive.
Recent cases that raise alarm
This is not an isolated incident. Two weeks ago, a body was found in the wheel compartment of a United Airlines flight between Chicago and Maui. Additionally, during the holiday travel season, two attempted stowaway incidents were reported on Delta planes.
In one incident, a woman boarded a flight from New York to Paris without a ticket before being arrested.
The incident in Fort Lauderdale reignites the debate over the need to enhance airport security systems to prevent similar tragedies and protect the integrity of air operations.
In August 2019, the young Cuban Yunier García Duarte traveled to Miami hidden in the cargo hold of a Swift Air commercial flight from Havana.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Discovery of Bodies on the JetBlue Plane
What happened at Fort Lauderdale Airport with the JetBlue aircraft?
On January 6, the bodies of two men were found in the landing gear of a JetBlue airplane at Fort Lauderdale International Airport during a post-landing inspection. This discovery occurred after JetBlue flight 1801 from New York to Florida.
What is the risk of traveling in the landing gear of an airplane?
Traveling in the landing gear of an airplane is extremely dangerous due to low temperatures, lack of oxygen, and the risk of being crushed. According to the FAA, approximately 80% of those who attempt to travel in these conditions do not survive.
How do these types of incidents affect aviation security?
These types of incidents highlight the need to improve security at airports to prevent unauthorized access to aircraft. Clandestine access poses a national security issue.
What was JetBlue's reaction to the discovery of the bodies?
JetBlue issued a statement describing the incident as heartbreaking and committed to collaborating with the authorities to clarify how access to the aircraft occurred. The airline expressed its willingness to work closely with the authorities.
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