*A 33-year-old U.S. Department of Defense employee died after a medical emergency aboard a Korean Air flight in early 2024, and her family has since filed a lawsuit against the airline. According to a civil complaint obtained by PEOPLE, the suit argues that Porscha Tynisha Brown’s death may have been preventable.
Brown was traveling from Virginia to Seoul, South Korea, on March 29, 2024, along with three friends. Roughly 12 hours into the flight, she told one of her companions that she was feeling unwell before heading to the restroom. Shortly afterward, a cabin announcement asked if any passengers had medical training. Brown’s friends went to the back of the plane, where they found her lying in the aisle. According to the complaint, she was holding her chest and saying, “I can’t breathe.”
Flight attendants provided an oxygen mask, but her condition reportedly did not improve. “Shortly thereafter, Ms. Brown lost consciousness and became nonresponsive,” the lawsuit states. Although an automated external defibrillator (AED) was brought out, the complaint alleges that crew members did not attempt to use it or instruct others on how to operate it. Other passengers tried administering epinephrine, but those efforts were unsuccessful. The lawsuit further claims crew members “alternated between panicking, observing and taking notes” instead of actively assisting.
The plane made an emergency landing in Osaka, Japan. After landing, one of Brown’s friends allegedly realized the oxygen mask had not been connected to a functioning oxygen supply. Brown was then taken to Rinku General Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
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Charles Gormly, acting as the special administrator of Brown’s estate, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the airline. The complaint asserts Brown “would have in all likelihood survived” if the crew had responded appropriately. Co-counsel Darren Nicholson said, “This is a case about accountability. Airlines have a duty to protect their passengers, especially during medical emergencies. Ms. Brown deserved that care and her family deserves better.”
The lawsuit seeks damages for wrongful death, lost income, medical expenses, and emotional distress. Korean Air addressed the lawsuit, saying, “Korean Air will fully respond to and participate in the legal proceeding, but as there now is pending litigation, it would be inappropriate for Korean Air to make any further statement.”
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