Bodies found in JetBlue plane's landing gear spark aviation security concerns

"The individuals who (are) deceased are both males. Beyond that, their identities at this time are unknown," stated Carey Codd, spokesperson for the Broward County Sheriff's Office.

JetBlue is conducting an investigation to identify the two individuals and determine how they gained access to the aircraft before its departure from New York. "The circumstances surrounding how they accessed the aircraft remain under investigation," said JetBlue. "This is a heartbreaking situation, and we are committed to working closely with authorities to support their efforts to understand how this occurred."

There is speculation about the men's nationality due to a recent stop in Jamaica by the aircraft. Kamina Smith, Jamaica's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, clarified on social media that "the individuals are not Jamaican."

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), along with local law enforcement and other agencies, is investigating how these stowaways accessed the wheel well of the plane. A spokesperson from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) mentioned that since flight operations were not involved, NTSB would not investigate further.

The advanced decomposition of remains suggests prolonged exposure in harsh conditions within the wheel well. These areas experience extreme pressure changes and temperatures as low as -40°F at high altitudes, posing severe risks for stowaways.