Teen Stowaways Identified After Tragic Discovery in Airplane Landing Gear

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Authorities have identified the remains of two teenagers found in the landing gear of a commercial airplane in January. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 18-year-old Jeik Lusi and 16-year-old Elvis Castillo, both from the Dominican Republic, perished during the journey.

The remains were discovered on January 6, 2023, during a routine post-flight maintenance inspection of the aircraft, which arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The announcement was made public on Monday following extensive DNA testing by the medical examiner’s office.

Details surrounding how the teenagers accessed the landing gear remain unclear, as well as the cause of death. A spokesperson for the airline expressed condolences, stating, “This is a heartbreaking situation, and we are committed to supporting authorities in understanding how this occurred.”

The incident raises concerns over the significant risks associated with stowing away in airplane landing gear. It’s not uncommon for individuals seeking to escape difficult circumstances to attempt such perilous journeys. Stowaways in unpressurized compartments endure freezing temperatures that can reach as low as minus 76 degrees Fahrenheit and face severe risks, including lack of oxygen and the potential for being crushed by the aircraft’s wheels.

While stowing away is hazardous, some have survived such attempts. Highlighted cases include an individual who managed to stay hidden in the landing gear of a cargo plane arriving in Amsterdam from South Africa in early 2022. In 2021, a man survived a similar journey in the United States.

The sad discovery of Lusi and Castillo’s bodies serves as a stark reminder of the lengths individuals will go to in search of a better life, as well as the perils of such desperate measures. The investigation into their deaths remains ongoing, and officials are focusing on how the individuals gained access to the aircraft.