The Broward County Sheriff’s Office went quickly to the scene at JetBlue’s terminal, accompanied by medical examiners, to begin their investigation.
FORT LAUDERDALE- On Monday night (January 6, 2025), maintenance technicians at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport discovered two bodies in a JetBlue Airways (B6) aircraft’s wheel well during a regular post-flight inspection.
The aircraft had completed its journey as Flight 1801 from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, landing in Fort Lauderdale (FLL) around 11:10 pm.
Dead Body on JetBlue Plane
JetBlue officials launched an urgent investigation into the security breach, which raised serious questions about how the suspects got access to the aircraft.
The identity of the deceased remain unknown as detectives try to piece together the events leading up to this occurrence.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office went quickly to the scene at JetBlue’s terminal, accompanied by medical examiners, to begin their investigation.
The aircraft had most recently operated (as) Flight 1801 from New York’s JFK Airport.
The circumstances surrounding how they accessed the aircraft remain under investigation. This is a heartbreaking situation, and we are committed to working closely with authorities to support their efforts to understand how this occurred.”
Despite the ongoing investigation, Broward County Aviation Department spokesperson Arlene Satchell told CNN that airport operations continue as usual.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that wheel-well stowaways have a death rate greater than 77%. These compartments provide fatal conditions during flight, with temperatures reaching -75 to -80°F at cruising altitude.
Individuals that attempt such perilous modes of transportation suffer life-threatening risks, such as crushing injuries, oxygen deprivation, and exposure to harsh frigid temperatures at cruising altitude.
Similar Incidents
On December 24, 2024, authorities discovered a body under the wheel well of United Airlines (UA) Flight UA202 at Kahului Airport in Maui. The Boeing 787-10 had finished its scheduled flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
United Airlines acknowledged the discovery, stating that the wheel well location is only accessible from the aircraft’s exterior. The event sparked quick investigations by the Maui Police Department and local law enforcement authorities, with United Airlines fully cooperating to understand how the passenger violated airport security measures.
This occurrence is akin to a catastrophe that occurred on December 5, 2022, when Sussex Metropolitan Police spotted an unidentified black male in the wheel bay of TUI Airways Flight BY225 at London’s Gatwick Airport.
The airplane had taken off from Banjul, Gambia, and the dead did not have any identification documents, making it difficult to determine his identity, age, country, or destination.
There has been an increase in stowaway incidents. Recently, a few customers attempted to travel without a ticket on Delta Air Lines (DL) flights.
A series of stowaway episodes hampered Delta Air Lines operations, beginning with Svetlana Dali’s unlawful flight from New York’s JFK Airport to Paris Charles de Gaulle. On December 16, 2024, federal police apprehended the 57-year-old Russian-born permanent resident of the United States as she sought to enter into Canada via bus.
Dali’s arrest comes after she appeared in federal court in Brooklyn on December 5th and was released on an ankle monitor following her original stowaway incident on Delta Air Lines. Her attempted border crossing breached the release terms.
On Christmas Eve, Delta Air Lines experienced another security lapse when an unticketed passenger boarded flight DL487 from Seattle to Honolulu. Alert crew members discovered the stowaway during taxi operations, prompting a swift return to the terminal gate.
Where were the dead bodies discovered on the JetBlue plane?
The two dead bodies were found in the wheel bay of a JetBlue aircraft during a routine inspection after the plane landed.
What is a wheel bay on an airplane?
A wheel bay is the compartment where the aircraft’s landing gear is stored during flight. It is not pressurized or temperature-controlled, making it highly dangerous for stowaways.
What flight was involved in the incident?
The JetBlue plane involved had recently arrived from a flight originating from a foreign country. Specific flight details have not been publicly disclosed.
How did the authorities respond to the discovery?
Upon discovery, airport authorities and local law enforcement were immediately notified. An investigation was launched to determine how the individuals accessed the aircraft and the circumstances leading to the incident.
Is it common for stowaways to attempt to hide in airplane wheel bays?
While rare, there have been previous cases of stowaways attempting to hide in airplane wheel bays. Unfortunately, due to extreme conditions such as lack of oxygen and freezing temperatures at high altitudes, survival is unlikely.
What risks do stowaways face when hiding in an aircraft wheel bay?
Stowaways face several life-threatening risks, including lack of oxygen, extreme cold, and potential crushing by the landing gear. Most attempts result in fatal outcomes.
What actions will JetBlue take following this incident?
JetBlue is cooperating fully with law enforcement and aviation authorities. The airline is also reviewing its security protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
