‘I can’t breathe’: Korean Air sued over in-flight death of passenger
Lawsuit alleges flight crew provided a mask with no oxygen supply as passenger said 'I can't breathe'.
Korean Air faces a wrongful death lawsuit in the United States following the tragic in-flight death of passenger Porscha Tynisha Brown in March 2024. The 33-year-old died aboard a flight from Washington, D.C., to Incheon, South Korea. The lawsuit, filed in Virginia by the law firm Burns Charest on behalf of Brown's estate, alleges a catastrophic series of failures by the flight crew after Brown experienced sudden respiratory distress approximately 12 hours into the journey.
According to the legal complaint, Brown told companions and crew members "I can't breathe" before collapsing. Flight attendants provided an oxygen mask, but post-flight investigations by eyewitnesses allegedly revealed it was never connected to an oxygen supply. The suit further claims the crew failed to promptly notify the cockpit of the severity of the emergency, delaying a potential diversion, and stood by as untrained passengers unsuccessfully attempted to operate an automated external defibrillator (AED) after it indicated a shock was necessary. The aircraft ultimately made an emergency landing in Osaka, Japan, where Brown was pronounced dead on arrival. Korean Air has stated it will "faithfully respond" to the U.S. legal proceedings.
- Lawsuit alleges the provided oxygen mask had no oxygen supply, a critical failure during a medical emergency.
- Crew delayed notifying the cockpit and an emergency diversion, according to the filed complaint.
- Untrained passengers attempted to use life-saving AED equipment while flight personnel allegedly stood by.
Why It Matters
The case raises severe questions about airline emergency protocols, crew training, and passenger safety accountability on long-haul flights.