Two people were found dead in the wheel compartment of a JetBlue plane that arrived from New York after landing at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. This incident has raised concerns among the airline’s passengers.
According to JetBlue, the bodies were discovered on Monday night during a post-flight maintenance inspection. Authorities have already started an investigation to clarify the circumstances. The victims, who were in an advanced state of decomposition, have not yet been identified.
What did JetBlue say about the discovery of bodies on its plane?
The airline reported that the plane in which the bodies were found had recently operated flight 1801, which departed from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York and landed in Fort Lauderdale at 11:10 p.m.
A technician discovered the two men in the landing gear area, and they showed no signs of life. In response, the technician activated Signal 7, the code used by law enforcement to report a deceased person.
It’s important to mention that this isn’t the first incident of its kind, as two weeks ago, a body was found in the wheel compartment of a United Airlines flight traveling from Chicago to Maui.
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Will the discovery of bodies affect JetBlue’s operations?
According to Arlene Satchell, spokesperson for the Broward County Aviation Department, the investigation is not affecting airport or airline operations.
Furthermore, there is no indication of any involvement by the flight crew or the operation of the aircraft in the discovery of the bodies, so the aircraft has been returned to JetBlue’s custody.
What is the purpose of an airplane’s landing gear?
The landing gear of an airplane is designed to dissipate the kinetic energy generated when the aircraft makes contact with the runway, whether during landing or takeoff.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the landing gear compartment is often used by stowaways, who are unaware of the limited space when the gear is retracted. Although they are usually not crushed, these stowaways frequently lose consciousness due to lack of oxygen or extreme cold when the plane reaches cruising altitude.
As a result, approximately 80% of people who attempt to hide in the landing gear compartment or other external compartments of an aircraft lose their lives.
JetBlue fined for flight delays
The first month of the year isn’t even over, and this is the second scandal involving the airline. Just last week, the U.S. Department of Transportation fined JetBlue $2 million for flight delays. Half of the fine, or $1 million, will be used to compensate passengers affected by delays or cancellations, while the other half will go to the U.S. Treasury.
What should I do if JetBlue cancels my flight?
If the airline cancels your flight for any reason and you had a confirmed reservation at the time of cancellation, you can choose from the following options:
- Rebook your flight on the next available JetBlue flight at no additional cost.
- Request a refund through the original form of payment.
If the cancellation occurs within 4 hours before the scheduled departure, the flight may be eligible for compensation according to the Customer Bill of Rights.
Can I get compensation if JetBlue cancels my flight?
Yes, although compensation is progressive and varies depending on the situation. For example, if there was a delay in departure, the customer will receive between $50 and $200 in travel credits.
After passengers have boarded the plane, compensation varies based on the delay time, ranging from $100 to $250 in travel credits. If the passenger experiences delays on the ground upon arrival, the travel credits range from $50 to $200.
