Tragic news emerged as two individuals were discovered deceased in the landing gear compartment of a JetBlue plane upon its arrival at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The unsettling revelation came to light during a routine post-flight maintenance inspection conducted on Monday night.
JetBlue Airlines has confirmed that the identities of the deceased individuals remain unknown, and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding their unauthorized access to the aircraft. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office, with jurisdiction over the airport, along with medical examiners, were promptly summoned to the scene at JetBlue’s terminal to commence inquiries into the distressing incident.
This distressing incident follows a recent occurrence where a body was found in the wheel bay of a United Airlines flight from Chicago to Maui, underscoring the dangers associated with stowaways attempting to hitch rides in landing gear compartments.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has shed light on the perilous nature of stowing away in landing gear compartments, emphasizing the severe risks involved. Stowaways often underestimate the limited space available within the bay once the landing gear is retracted, leading to potentially fatal consequences. Lack of oxygen and extreme cold temperatures at cruising altitudes pose significant threats to stowaways, resulting in loss of consciousness or worse.
As investigations continue into this tragic incident involving the two individuals found in the landing gear compartment of the JetBlue plane, authorities are working diligently to unravel the sequence of events that led to this heartbreaking outcome. The aviation industry faces ongoing challenges in addressing unauthorized access to aircraft and ensuring the safety and security of all passengers and personnel.
