CHICAGO- A Turkish Airlines (TK) passenger died mid-flight while en route from Istanbul Airport (IST) to San Francisco International Airport (SFO), prompting a diversion to Chicago O’Hare (ORD). The body, which was offloaded upon arrival, has since gone missing, raising concerns over procedural missteps.
Despite standard protocol requiring local authorities to be notified, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office states it never received the remains. Questions remain unanswered as officials and the airline investigate the disappearance.
Photo: Copyright to CLEMENT ALLOING PHOTOGRAPHIE | FlickrTurkish Airlines Passenger In-Flight Death
On July 13, Turkish Airlines (TK) Flight TK79 departed from Istanbul Airport (IST) bound for San Francisco International Airport (SFO), operated by an Airbus A350-900. Midway through the journey, the crew encountered a medical emergency on board.
The 83-year-old Satyanarayana Pasupuleti Indian passenger, condition worsened quickly and led to an in-flight death, prompting the flight to divert to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
The flight entered a holding pattern over Greenland while the crew evaluated options. Although Keflavík Airport (KEF) in Iceland was initially considered, Chicago was selected due to its superior infrastructure and proximity within the same jurisdiction as the final destination.
Upon landing at ORD, the body was reportedly removed from the aircraft. In such incidents, airlines typically follow strict procedures to notify the appropriate local authority—in this case, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
However, spokesperson Natalia Derevyanny, speaking to SFGATE, confirmed that no such notification was received and that the office has no record of the body’s arrival.
The aircraft departed from Chicago at 20:17 local time, arriving in San Francisco at 21:53, around two hours behind schedule. Most passengers remained onboard for the continuation of the journey, while some were rerouted.
O’Hare Airport; Photo: Studio GangLack of Clarity
The situation has been further complicated by conflicting information. Turkish Airlines’ station manager, Ertugrul Gulsen, reportedly stated to The New York Post that the body was transferred to another flight bound for San Francisco.
However, no specific flight number, time, or handling details were provided. The absence of a clear chain of custody or confirmation by receiving authorities adds to the uncertainty.
Authorities are now trying to trace the body’s path, with no confirmation on whether it reached San Francisco or was mishandled in Chicago. The lack of transparency raises significant concerns about compliance with international protocols governing in-flight fatalities.
Photo: EurospotStandard Protocol for In-Flight Deaths
In the event of an in-flight medical emergency, flight crews are trained to assess the situation with the assistance of any onboard medical professionals. If the passenger passes away, the crew cannot officially declare death; only licensed medical personnel on the ground may do so.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) mandates that the deceased must not be removed from the aircraft until local authorities arrive.
Airlines are expected to handle such situations with dignity, usually by moving the deceased to an isolated area and covering them respectfully.
While in-flight deaths are rare, they do occur. A published study found that approximately 0.3% of onboard medical emergencies result in death.
Photo: Clément AlloingOngoing Investigation
As of now, no clear explanation has been offered for the missing remains. Both Turkish Airlines and US authorities are expected to provide further updates as the investigation continues.
The incident has raised broader questions about the handling of in-flight deaths and interagency communication during such events.
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Turkish Airlines Flight to San Francisco with A350 Diverted to Chicago
The post Turkish Airlines Lost Indian Passenger’s Body After Flight Diverted to Chicago appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
