Two individuals have been found dead inside the landing gear compartment of a JetBlue aircraft after it landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, raising serious concerns over airline security and the dangers of stowing away on planes.
The bodies were discovered late Monday evening during routine post-flight maintenance inspections. JetBlue Airways confirmed the grim find, stating, "This is a heartbreaking situation, and we are committed to working closely with authorities to support their efforts to understand how this occurred." At this time, the identities of the victims have not been publicly released.
The aircraft, identified as Flight 1801, had flown from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, landing at 11:03 p.m. after departing at approximately 8:20 p.m. on the same day. The Airbus A320 had operated various flights throughout the day, having started from Kingston, Jamaica, before making its way to JFK, and then finally to Fort Lauderdale.
According to Broward County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Carey Codd, the bodies were reported by maintenance personnel who noticed them during the inspection. "On scene, paramedics pronounced both individuals deceased," he noted. Investigators are currently trying to determine how the two individuals accessed the aircraft's landing gear compartment.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warns of the significant risks stowaways face, noting, "About 80% of people who attempt to fly in the wheel well or another external compartment of an aircraft die during their attempt." This alarming statistic highlights the dangerous nature of attempting to stow away on commercial flights, especially considering the conditions at altitude, where temperatures can drop to extreme lows.
This incident follows another recent tragedy, where another deceased individual was found inside the wheel well of a United Airlines plane after it arrived in Hawaii from Chicago. There is growing concern over security vulnerabilities at airports, particularly related to individuals attempting to stow away.
Mary Schiavo, former Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation, emphasized the security implications of these incidents. "This keeps happening. People are getting onto the airport property and getting access to aircraft, and it poses a huge security danger for the aircraft. These individuals may have been trying to escape or get to another location, but it could easily have been someone attempting to attack aviation," she remarked.
The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting autopsies to determine the precise cause of death for both individuals. Meanwhile, airport officials stated there would be no interruptions to airport operations due to the incident.
For safety and security protocols, the airline industry continues to evaluate and reinforce measures against such access to aircraft. Incidents like this force airlines and airport authorities to reconsider how best to secure aircraft and prevent unauthorized access, ensuring passenger safety remains the priority.
Overall, the tragic deaths of the two individuals are not only heartbreaking but also shine light on the persistent issue of stowaway attempts, prompting urgent discussions about airport security reforms.