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American Airlines passenger dies after receiving empty oxygen tanks
A 44-year-old woman died while on an American Airlines flight from Haiti to New York on Friday. Her relatives say that the woman, Carine Desir, complained of difficulty breathing, and pleaded with the flight attendants for oxygen but was initially refused. Finally, after consulting with the cockpit, the flight attendant reportedly brought the woman two different oxygen tanks. Both were empty.
The woman collapsed, and a nurse on the flight tried to resuscitate her, but was unsuccessful. The woman's cousin, accompanying her on the flight, said, "I cannot believe what is happening on the plane. She cannot get up, and nothing on the plane works."
A spokesperson for American Airlines had no comment on the charges that the plane's oxygen cannisters were empty.
After the woman died, her body was placed on the floor of the first class area and a sheet was laid over her.
That's about the only way I'll ever be able to fly first class.
Filed under: United States, Airlines, Transportation, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jamie Rhein Feb 25th 2008 8:11AM
As a person who has a mother who has needed oxygen in the past, this sounds scary.
By the way, Aaron, if you happen to die on a plane, you may not get the aisle in First Class, you could end up in the luggage bin. That's what I've heard anyway.
oZone Feb 25th 2008 9:04AM
As a person who flys frequently with American Airlines to and from the Dominican Republic, I can only imagine how many flights from here are lacking in essential things like this.
Julia Rosien Feb 25th 2008 10:07AM
I agree - this scares the hell out of me. And there's so much more I want to know
* Why did the flight attendant refuse?
* Why didn't the equipment work?
* What do the 2 doctors and nurse say about how the situation was handled?
http://www.gogirlfriend.com/travel-news/american-airline-passenger-dies-7200
Diane Gordon Feb 25th 2008 11:26PM
If American Airlines is telling the truth, where is the flight attendant who administered the oxygen? Because the person doesn't exist! This is typical of American Airlines.
I had an AA employee look me right in the eye and lie to me that my luggage was loaded on a small plane. Of course, it wasn't, because I was watching the baggage being loaded. I hope this woman's family gets a huge settlement.
LUO Feb 26th 2008 1:26PM
I read this morning that AA claims they had 12 oxygen tanks on board the aircraft, however, if they had 12 on board, why did they stop after they found the second one was empty? Why didn't they just grab another oxygen tank? AA is trying to cover its tail by denying its incompetency. I have witnessed nothing but arrogance and incompetency when dealing with AA and I will never fly them again. I don't think they are equipped to deal with emergencies. Also, I am amazed that passengers had to come forward to give medical assistance. I thought crews were supposed to have medical training, obviously, this is a misconception.
I hope this woman's family stands up to the big corporate AA and gets a settlement they deserve.
LUO Feb 26th 2008 1:28PM
Check out:
myspace.com/airlinegangstalkers
Jimmy Mack Mar 3rd 2008 11:54AM
I find it reprehensible that posters on this site have swallowed hole this notion that the oxygen bottles were empty and that the flight attendants were reluctant to help. What a crock. Who says the bottles were empty?? Just because the media is lazy, and anxious to malign any airline (it's good copy), does that make this story true? The facts will show that the crew tried everything it knew how to do, but the woman was in very poor health (her family already admitted this!!). When that time comes to clear this crew you won't hear it from the media, that's not news-worthy, just as it's not news-worthy when flight crews do save lives (as they do every day). It's sad she died but that crew doesn't deserve this. Shame on their management for not vigorously defending them on the cable networks. You wanna work for an airline?? Good luck!!