A 71-year-old passenger died aboard a United Airlines Boeing 787-9 during a trans-Pacific flight from Tokyo to Denver on Tuesday, September 29, forcing the aircraft to divert to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, according to reports from Simple Flying, TMZ, and People.
Flight UA142 Diverts to Seattle Following Medical Emergency Over the Pacific Ocean
United Airlines flight 142 departed Narita International Airport at 4:38 PM on Tuesday, September 29, running eight minutes behind its scheduled departure time, Simple Flying reported using flight tracking data. The Boeing 787-9 was operating a nonstop route to Denver International Airport, carrying 245 passengers and 12 crew members, according to TMZ and People. About six and a half hours into the journey, a 71-year-old male passenger named Felmo M. Penola experienced a severe medical emergency, TMZ reported.
An eyewitness told TMZ that she woke up to a commotion near her seat and saw an unconscious man lying on the floor surrounded by a flight attendant and three firefighters who were traveling as passengers. TMZ reported that these three firefighters administered oxygen and intravenous fluids using IV bags and oxygen tanks as the aircraft altered its route toward Washington State. The flight crew reported the onboard medical emergency to the Federal Aviation Administration, and the pilot decided to divert to the closest major airport, landing at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 9:00 AM local time, according to TMZ.
Medical Crew Responds at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as Passenger is Pronounced Dead
Upon landing in Washington, emergency medical personnel, police, and fire department responders met the United Airlines jet at the gate, according to People and Simple Flying. Paramedics assessed the traveler, but he did not survive and was pronounced dead at the scene, Simple Flying and the Port of Seattle confirmed. A witness told TMZ that one of the firefighters hooked the man’s arm and helped drag him down the aisle and out of the aircraft.
The Port of Seattle stated that the individual’s body was transferred directly to the King County Medical Examiner. Flight logs show the Boeing 787-9 remained on the ground in Seattle for just over two hours, departing at 11:10 AM before completing the final leg of the journey to Denver International Airport at 3:12 PM local time, Simple Flying reported.
King County Medical Examiner Confirms Cause of Death as Cardiovascular Disease
The King County Medical Examiner’s decedents list released on September 30 identified the passenger as 71-year-old Felmo M. Penola, listing his manner of death as natural, according to People. The medical examiner determined the cause of death to be hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which involves high blood pressure and narrowed, hardened arteries that strain the heart and blood vessels.
Frequently Asked Questions About the United Airlines Diversion
What aircraft operated United Airlines flight 142?
The flight was operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registered as N24980, which was delivered to United Airlines in August 2020, according to Simple Flying.
How many people were on board the flight?
The aircraft was carrying 245 passengers and 12 crew members when the medical emergency occurred over the Pacific Ocean, TMZ and People reported.
Where did the aircraft continue after the Seattle diversion?
After staying on the ground in Seattle for just over two hours, the United jet resumed its trip and landed at Denver International Airport at 3:12 PM, according to Simple Flying.
Aircraft Details for Boeing 787-9 Registration N24980
Simple Flying and aviation database ch-aviation identified the aircraft involved in the incident as a Boeing 787-9 powered by two Genx-1B engines. First flown on June 30, 2020, the jet was delivered to United Airlines on August 1, 2020. The aircraft features a seating configuration split into 48 United Polaris business class seats, 21 United Premium Plus seats, and 188 economy class seats. Following its arrival in Denver, the plane remained on the apron overnight before operating as flight UA262 to London Heathrow Airport on the evening of September 30, Simple Flying reported.
“Unfortunately, we do see this a couple of times a year from long-haul flights. SEA is the closest major airport on flights over the Pacific and we become the diversion point for inbounds to the U.S.,” a spokesperson for the Port of Seattle told People.
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