One Dead Passenger - Emergency?

[Shady]

DBE wrote:
You might want to pack the body in ice, especially during a looong flight.

The cargo room should be cool enough

[AeroJim]

Yea, i agree, if someone died, you would just want to get it to a hospital or morgue or something, not in the lavatory of an 8 hour flight, i
dont think there is a "Dead Passenger-Insert Here" decal located anywhere on the plane, though if i saw it i would have a slient laugh to
myself.

[macoklein]

hey xvxmatthewxvx when you land can you tell us what the report said?

[Michael_B737-800_ATP]

Hello,

Who made the decision that one of your passengers is dead?. You’re a pilot not a doctor, you have "NO BUSINESS" making that decision, the aircraft should be diverted.

Another thing you need to understand, If, "IN FACT" this passenger is dead, without an autopsy, you have no way of knowing what killed this passenger. Is he/she contagious?, does extended exposure pose a threat to the other passengers?

There are so many other possibilities that exist, you need to divert!!!

Mike



Post Edited ( 10-29-05 23:26 )

[Anastasios]

As far as I know flights just continue when somebody died on board. I know several flight attendants and a flight continues if the relatives
of the person who died agree.

The person who died is in no need of medical assistance, so the fligt can continue. Most of the time, most passengers will not even
know that someone just died on board. People who are sitting close to this passenger will know, other pax probably won't.

[Michael_B737-800_ATP]

Hello,

Again, who determined the passenger is dead?. The only person, at least in the United States that can declare a person dead is a physician. Even Emergency Medical Technician’s and Paramedic’s in the US can only make a presumptive diagnosis of death and cannot declare a person dead. As a pilot, you have “NO BUSINESS” making that decision. You also need to keep in mind, the person’s family may have a lot to gain by this persons death (Ex. Large Death Benefit or Insurance Policy) you cannot accept a family members wish to continue the flight. You also need to consider the other passengers safety on the flight.

What if this person is contagious, and, as a result of you NOT diverting caused the death of other passengers?. This in-and-of-itself would open the airline up to the possibility of a class action lawsuit if this person was found to be contagious.

Also keep in mind, an Airline Pilot does "NOT" have the authority to make a presumptive diagnosis of death.

This aircraft needs to be diverted, the only way this flight would continue is, if you were past the point of no return.



Post Edited ( 10-30-05 01:17 )

[Anastasios]

Well, I don't know how it is in the USA. In Europe however, I do know it happened on board of Dutch airlines and they moved the body to
the galley or they left the body in the seat. (Husband and wife travelling togeher, husband dies and wife want's to stay with her husband)

I think on short haul flights it shouldn't be a problem, as in Europe most flights are not longer then a few hours. If you have a long haul
flight, there is the possibilty of diverting. Cabin attendants DO know some important things about diseases etc etc. Pilots DO know when
it is necessary to make a landing or not.
Remember, to land the plane and offload the body costs a lot of money to the airline. Nobody is going to pay the airline for this,
passengers are unhappy because of the delay.

And don't say that passengers would't mind to land ASAP because someone just died. They DO mind, there's nothing you can do for the
person who died. So continue to the destination and everybody is happy.

And yes, it might be smarter to lower the temperature a bit in the cabin

Tasos

[Nuttycomputer]

What if this person is contagious, and, as a result of you NOT diverting caused the death of other passengers?

How do we determine if he's contagious if he's not ill or dead.

Airline Pilot does "NOT" have the authority to make a presumptive diagnosis of death.

Sorry I know technicality there, but even though you can't declare someone legally dead. My guess is one could easily tell if a person
passed to the other side.

"Captain we have a disturbed passenger in seat F3"

"What's wrong with him?"

"He just refuses to let his heart beat sir, he's also saying it's too cold in here."





Post Edited ( 10-30-05 18:50 )

[Mattyboom]

LOL!!!!!

[bloha]

I probably wouldn't declare an emargency for a dead passenger. But the more important question in my opinion would be:

Did he pay his/her fare!?!?

My opinion though .

[xvxmatthewxvx]

Michael J Swannick is right I think.

From now on on all my long flights if a passenger dies I will divert. If the passenger dies within 90mins of the planned destination I will
continue as normal.

On short flights (under 2 hours) and a passenger dies, I will leave the body as is and offer refreshments. Upon touchdown the corpse
can be disposed of.



Post Edited ( 11-19-05 05:47 )