Pentagon Employee Dies on Flight Due to Lack of Oxygen and Instructions

A Pentagon employee tragically passed away during a flight after a flight attendant overlooked crucial steps in an emergency response, according to a lawsuit filed in connection with the incident.

Porsha Tinisha Brown, 33, was traveling from Washington, D.C., to Seoul, South Korea, with friends last year when she experienced a seizure around the twelfth hour of their lengthy flight. This, understandably, resulted in panic among passengers on board.

While her friends and fellow passengers attempted to assist, the flight attendant responsible for providing an oxygen mask apparently forgot to connect it to the oxygen tank and seemed to be in a state of confusion, just observing and taking notes instead of taking action, as stated in the complaint.

The flight was diverted to Osaka, Japan, where Brown, a civilian working at the Pentagon, was later pronounced dead due to “acute heart failure,” as noted in her death report.

After the plane landed, Brown’s companions learned that the flight attendant had failed to plug in the oxygen mask. The complaint claims this oversight meant that Brown was not given any supplemental oxygen during the critical moments when passengers were trying to save her.

The filing indicates that had the crew adhered to established protocols, Brown “would not have experienced the severe physical and emotional pain” that led to her untimely passing at such a young age.

Brown felt fine earlier in the flight; she even got up to use the restroom. Shortly thereafter, however, chaos erupted as the flight attendants began asking if any doctors were onboard.

Upon reaching her, her friends found her lying on the floor, struggling to breathe and gasping, “I can’t breathe.” The crew immediately provided an oxygen mask, which they placed over her face. Unfortunately, despite this, Brown continued to struggle and lost consciousness.

Passenger volunteers attempted to administer epinephrine, but there was no effect. Flight attendants later brought in a defibrillator, yet no one provided clear instructions on its use, despite the crew being trained on emergency procedures.

The lawsuit notes that a passenger, who wasn’t familiar with the equipment, had no guidance and failed to deliver a life-saving shock due to not knowing to press the “shock” button.

After Brown was pronounced dead, her friends faced the difficult task of arranging to bring her body back to the U.S.

The complaint alleges that the flight attendants did not provide adequate help, broke company policy, and were slow to declare a medical emergency.

“She was just beginning her life and was a cherished member of her community,” said attorney Hannah Crowe, who is representing Brown’s estate in the legal case. Brown’s family is pursuing damages from Korean Air through a jury trial.