A 71-year-old man died during a medical emergency aboard United Airlines Flight 142 on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The plane was scheduled to fly for about 12 hours from Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) to Denver International Airport (DEN).
United Flight Diverts to Seattle
The Boeing 787-9 was flying over the Pacific Ocean when the crew reported a passenger medical emergency. The aircraft was diverted to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, where it landed about eight hours and 22 minutes after departing Tokyo. Medical personnel met the aircraft upon arrival at Seattle. The passenger was pronounced dead after the aircraft landed and was turned over to the King County Medical Examiner in Washington State.
The King County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, a condition associated with high blood pressure and plaque buildup in the arteries.
The aircraft was set to continue to Denver after stopping in Seattle for just over two hours. It arrived safely in Denver about three hours later.
What to Do During a Medical Emergency
The Aerospace Medical Association recommends that aircraft carry several types of medical equipment, including first-aid kits, emergency medical kits and universal precaution kits.
Cabin crew members are trained to use the equipment and respond to medical emergencies on board. If you feel unwell during a flight, alert a cabin crew member as soon as possible so they can assess the situation and provide assistance.
Have you ever experienced a medical emergency on board a flight? Share your experience in the comments!
