Authorities have charged a man with climbing over a fence at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and boarding a JetBlue aircraft. The incident occurred on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
Sammuel Lackey, 32, allegedly accessed a 2012 Airbus A320 while it was undergoing maintenance, according to an arrest affidavit from the Broward Sheriff’s Office. JetBlue employees discovered Lackey asleep on the plane during a routine inspection.
The aircraft was parked at JetScape Services, with stairs connected to allow maintenance workers to enter and exit. Lackey is said to have climbed these stairs, entered the aircraft, and then hid in the bathroom. The aircraft doors were secured around 4:25 a.m., with Lackey still inside, and he was discovered about an hour later.
The incident delayed the plane’s schedule, forcing JetBlue to use another aircraft. JetBlue estimated the disruption cost them $2,400.96.
Lackey admitted to authorities that he scaled a fence and entered secure areas within the airport. Current records show Lackey faces charges of burglary, criminal mischief, and interrupting critical infrastructure. He does not have a listed attorney.
Lackey was held on a $10,000 bond at the Broward Main Jail. Representatives for both the airport and JetScape Services have not commented on the incident as of Wednesday night.