In a distressing incident at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, two men’s bodies were discovered within the landing gear compartment of a JetBlue aircraft arriving from New York City.
The discovery was made during a routine post-flight inspection on Monday night. The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) reported that deputies responded around 11:30 p.m. and confirmed both individuals were deceased at the scene.
A spokesperson from the BSO, Carey Cod, stated that the men were found inside the compartment of JetBlue flight 1801. Their identities and nationalities remain unknown, and authorities continue to investigate how the individuals accessed the aircraft. Meanwhile, autopsies will be conducted by the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the causes of death.
The flight history revealed that the plane had traveled from Kingston, Jamaica, to New York’s JFK Airport, then to Salt Lake City International Airport, back to JFK, and finally to Fort Lauderdale. However, it remains unclear when the men boarded the aircraft.
JetBlue confirmed the incident in a statement, emphasizing their commitment to working closely with authorities to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event. They expressed their sorrow and pointed out that the investigation is ongoing without providing specific details on whether the men were stowaways.
Arlene Satchell from the Broward County Aviation Department clarified that the incident did not disrupt airport operations, as the passengers had already disembarked by the time the bodies were found. The aircraft is currently parked in a remote area, not affecting airport activities.
Historically, such incidents are not common at Fort Lauderdale, although nearby Miami International Airport has recorded similar cases, including a 2021 event where a stowaway survived a flight from Guatemala City. This highlights the extreme risks associated with hiding in landing gear compartments of aircraft, where temperatures drop below freezing and a lack of oxygen can lead to unconsciousness or death.
The discovery of bodies in the landing gear at Fort Lauderdale raises serious concerns about airport security and the desperate measures some individuals take. The ongoing investigation by JetBlue and local authorities aims to understand the circumstances of this tragic incident.
Source: Nbcmiami
