Two bodies found in wheel well of Jetblue plane thought to be of Jamaicans

By Kimone Witter    

 

There is speculation that two bodies found in the wheel well of a JetBlue plane on Monday could be that of Jamaicans.

 

According to CBS News, Broward sheriff's deputies and a medical examiner visited Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport overnight after the bodies were found in the aircraft's landing gear compartment.

 

In a statement Tuesday, JetBlue said the bodies were found during a routine inspection after the plane landed.

 

The airline said the identities of the individuals and the circumstances surrounding how they accessed the aircraft remain under investigation.

 

Flight 1801 reportedly overnighted in Kingston after arriving from JFK in New York on Sunday, January 5. The aircraft then flew to JFK, then to Salt Lake City, Utah, then back to JFK before ending up in Fort Lauderdale.

 

Addressing the speculations, President of the Airports Authority of Jamaica, Audley Deidrick said the country has limited information on planes after they leave an airport. 

 

"When an airline sends their aircraft to a country and that aircraft leave this country, we, the country, or the airport have no more knowledge or handle as to where that aircraft goes or what other route it takes up. We therefore can't comment on what happens to the aircraft after it leaves here. And we don't know if that particular aircraft, in any way, can be the same one that was here. We don't have the authority or the knowledge to speak for that. Only the airline can say what happen to their aircraft when it leaves one destination and goes to another," said Mr. Deidrick. 

 

The Federal Aviation Administration said the landing gear compartment is often used by stowaways, who don't realise how little space is available in the bay when the gear is retracted.

 

There have been other recent stowaway incidents that raised serious alarm over airport security during the busy holiday travel period.