Two Bodies Found in JetBlue A320 Wheel Well

DALLAS — Two people were found dead in the landing gear compartment of a JetBlue (B6) airplane after it landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) in the US state of Florida late Monday.

According to FlightAware data, the B6 Airbus A320 jet was in service nearly all day Monday. It first took off from Kingston, Jamaica, at 1:10 a.m. It arrived in New York before departing for Salt Lake City at 7:36 a.m. The jet flew back to New York’s JFK Airport (JFK) before concluding its day in Fort Lauderdale.

JetBlue stated, "On Monday evening, January 6, at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLHIA), two individuals were found in the landing gear compartment of one of our aircraft during the routine post-flight maintenance inspection. Tragically, both individuals were deceased." 

Authorities are investigating how the individuals ended up in the wheel compartment. The investigation should determine the identities of the stowaways and the circumstances surrounding the aircraft breach. 

People attempt to stow away in aircraft landing gear compartments for various reasons, primarily to enter a country or escape desperate situations illegally. Stowaways typically gain access to landing gear compartments by:

1. Breaching airport perimeter security
2. Hiding in restricted areas near runways
3. Climbing into the wheel well before takeoff

Dangers of Wheel Well Stowaways

The main dangers for passengers who attempt to hide in aircraft compartments, particularly in the landing gear or wheel well, are severe and often fatal. While autopsies will be conducted to determine the causes of the deaths of the B6 stowaways, many succumb to hypothermia or hypoxia during flight; these risks include:

1. Extreme cold temperatures: At cruising altitudes, temperatures can drop between -50°C and -63°C, leading to severe hypothermia.
2. Lack of oxygen: The unpressurized wheel well lacks sufficient oxygen at high altitudes, which can cause asphyxiation.
3. Crushing by retracting landing gear: Many stowaways die from being crushed when the massive wheels retract into the limited space of the wheel well.
4. Falling from the aircraft: There's a significant risk of falling when the landing gear is deployed, typically at around 1,500 feet altitude.
5. Severe physical trauma: Even if stowaways survive the flight, they often suffer from critical injuries or conditions requiring immediate medical attention.

The fatality rate for wheel-well stowaways is exceptionally high. Between 1947 and 2015, out of 113 verified attempts, 86 people died, resulting in a survival rate of only 24%. These dangerous attempts are often made by desperate individuals seeking to escape dire circumstances or enter countries illegally despite the overwhelming risks involved—until a complete investigation, we do not know if this is the case here.

Ongoing Investigation

Authorities typically follow a comprehensive investigative process when bodies are found in aircraft compartments:

1. Secure the scene: Law enforcement, including homicide and crime scene units, immediately secure the area around the aircraft.
2. Collect evidence: Investigators thoroughly examine the landing gear compartment and surrounding areas for physical evidence.
3. Identify the deceased: Authorities work to determine the identities of the individuals found, often using forensic methods.
4. Conduct autopsies: Medical examiners perform autopsies to determine the cause and manner of death.
5. Review flight history: Investigators examine the aircraft's recent flight paths and stop to identify potential entry points.
6. Analyze security footage: Airport surveillance videos are reviewed to determine how and when the individuals may have accessed the aircraft.
7. Interview relevant personnel: Flight crew, ground staff, and other airport personnel are questioned for all pertinent information.
8. Collaborate with multiple agencies: Due to the nature of these incidents, local law enforcement often collaborates with federal agencies like the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
9. Examine airport security measures: Investigators assess the effectiveness of current security protocols and identify potential vulnerabilities.
10. International cooperation: If the flight involves multiple countries, authorities may collaborate with international law enforcement agencies.

Throughout the investigation, authorities maintain open communication with the airline involved and may request additional information or assistance.

Airlines and airports can take several measures to prevent wheel well stowaways:

1. Enhance perimeter security and surveillance
2. Implement thorough pre-flight inspections of landing gear areas
3. Use motion sensors and cameras in wheel well areas
4. Improve airport staff training to detect potential stowaways
5. Collaborate with local authorities to address the root causes of illegal immigration

Despite these efforts, eliminating the risk of stowaways remains challenging due to the vast areas that need to be secured and the desperation that drives individuals to attempt such dangerous methods of travel.

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