Two unidentified bodies were discovered in the landing gear compartment of a JetBlue Airways flight at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Monday, January 6, 2025. The bodies were found during a routine inspection of the aircraft, which had just arrived from New York.
The discovery occurred as part of the airport's standard post-arrival procedures, which include a thorough check of the aircraft’s critical components. The identities of the deceased individuals have not been confirmed, and details regarding how they accessed the aircraft’s landing gear compartment remain unclear.
JetBlue Airways confirmed that the bodies were located in the compartment housing the landing gear. This rare and unusual event is now under investigation by local authorities, including the Broward County Sheriff's Office and the medical examiner’s office. The investigation aims to determine how the individuals entered the plane’s landing gear compartment and the circumstances that led to their deaths.
While such incidents are extremely uncommon, there have been occasional reports in the past of individuals attempting to stow away on aircraft, hiding in landing gear compartments. These areas, exposed to extreme cold and low oxygen at cruising altitude, present severe risks to anyone attempting to conceal themselves in such spaces. The authorities are working to establish the exact series of events that led to this tragedy.
At this time, no additional details have been disclosed, and the investigation is ongoing. JetBlue Airways has expressed its commitment to fully cooperating with local authorities. Further information will be provided as the investigation unfolds.