A federal lawsuit has been filed against Korean Air after a passenger died mid-flight when cabin crew failed to attach an oxygen mask to the tank during a medical emergency. Porscha Tynisha Brown, 33, collapsed aboard flight KE94 from Washington, D.C., to Seoul on March 29, 2024, clutching her chest and struggling to breathe.
According to the complaint, flight attendants handed Brown an oxygen mask but did not plug it into the oxygen tank. Despite the mask, Brown continued to gasp for air and eventually lost consciousness. Passengers rushed to assist, but the crew allegedly panicked and took notes instead of taking charge. The pilot diverted to Japan, where Brown was pronounced dead.
The lawsuit claims that had the crew responded properly, Brown would not have suffered before dying. Attorney Hannah Crowe described Brown as a remarkable young woman, a civilian employee for the U.S. Department of Defense with a master's degree and plans to pursue a doctorate. Co-counsel Darren Nicholson said the violations were so severe they shock the conscience.
Korean Air stated it will fully respond to the legal proceedings but declined further comment due to pending litigation. The case was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
