Source: The New York Times
On Tuesday, JetBlue confirmed that two bodies were found in the landing gear compartment of one of its planes after it completed a flight from New York. The discovery was made during a standard post-flight inspection.
JetBlue Flight 1801, which took off from John F. Kennedy Airport in New York at 7:49 p.m. on Monday, arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at 11:10 p.m. According to the airline, the bodies were located as part of routine maintenance checks after the flight.
Authorities from the Broward County Sheriff's Office confirmed that paramedics pronounced both individuals dead at the scene. It is still unclear how long they had been in the compartment or how they accessed it.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees operations at JFK Airport, has not yet responded to inquiries about how the individuals may have reached the aircraft.
During a press conference, a sheriff's office spokesperson revealed that the two deceased were men, though their identities remain unknown. The Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to perform autopsies to determine the cause of death.
Landing gear compartments, where these bodies were found, have historically been used by individuals attempting to travel undetected by stowing away. However, such attempts are incredibly dangerous. These compartments open and close with the aircraft's landing gear, and other stowaways have tragically fallen from the plane or succumbed to injuries after being crushed. Harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, low oxygen, and changes in pressure, are also major risks that often lead to death.
This incident follows similar tragedies, such as a body found in a United Airlines wheel well on Christmas Day and the case of a man who survived a stowaway attempt from Algeria to France in 2023, despite suffering severe hypothermia.
JetBlue said that an investigation is underway to determine how the individuals gained access to the plane. The airline expressed its commitment to supporting authorities in their efforts to understand how this incident occurred, calling it a "heartbreaking situation."
