Managing Tragic Incidents Mid-Flight: What Flight Attendants and Pilots Do

Managing medical emergencies, particularly those resulting in a passenger's death mid-flight, is one of the most challenging and stressful situations a flight crew can face. Despite the expertise of flight attendants and the resources available on board, the decision-making process can be complex and requires careful consideration of multiple factors.

Incident Handling Procedures

When such a situation arises, the flight crew typically follows a series of procedures designed to ensure safety and dignity for all passengers involved. The first step is to perform a quick assessment of the situation, using onboard medical kits and requesting assistance from Medilink via radio communication.

Medilink is a critical resource that provides specialized advice and support to the flight crew. With their guidance, the crew can determine the best course of action. If the crew determines that a passenger has passed away, the situation becomes more complex, as there are limited options.

Diversion and Emergency Landing

The first option is to divert the flight to the nearest suitable airport. The crew must consider the proximity to medical facilities, the distance to the destination, and whether the deceased could be brought to the airport in a state suitable for medical assistance.

If diversion is not feasible or if the destination is close, the alternative is to continue to the planned destination. This decision is made after a thorough evaluation of the likelihood of resuscitation or treatment. Even if the person has passed away, the option of continuing to the destination is considered if the passenger's family is nearby and would benefit from being reunited, especially if the destination is the passenger's hometown.

Physical Management of the Body

Upon landing, the crew must manage the deceased body carefully. In the event of a deceased passenger, bodies are typically left in their seats, covered with a blanket, to maintain dignity and privacy. The crew may reseat nearby passengers if practical. Placing the body near an exit door is generally not an option due to safety concerns.

Handling Trivial Incidents

In the less critical scenario where someone died prior to the flight, the body is handled differently. The deceased is placed in the cargo section of the aircraft. This requires the crew to follow certain procedures, such as ensuring the use of a HumSack (a specialized body bag) and obtaining necessary documentation like embalming certificates and police clearances.

Personal Accounts

A personal account from an experienced flight attendant describes a situation where a passenger died mid-flight. The body was covered and placed in a row of seats until the plane landed. During a 12-hour flight, the deceased passenger had passed away approximately eight hours into the journey. The crew waited for the body to be taken away by the paramedics, then resumed their regular duties.

The flight crew's training and equipment, such as onboard medical kits and defibrillators, are crucial resources. However, the decision to proceed or divert, and the subsequent handling of the body, must be made with caution and with the highest respect for the deceased and their loved ones.