FAA Releases Recordings From Flight Death
Cockpit info sheds light on death of Carine Desir.
March 21, 2008— -- The Federal Aviation Administration released cockpit recordings today that shed more light into the death that occurred on a recent American Airlines flight.
Carine Desir died during the return flight from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to New York City Feb. 22 after she fell ill and reported trouble breathing.
Desir's cousin Antonio Oliver, who was on the flight, said that flight attendants initially refused her request for oxygen and that when they agreed, the tanks were empty and a defibrillator failed to function.
American Airlines officials strongly disputed these claims.
The carrier said oxygen was administered and the defibrillator was operational. FAA rules require that airlines have a defibrillator and at least two oxygen units on hand. It is up to the airlines to make sure they work properly.
The recording released Friday documented the conversation between the pilot and the controller. The pilot declared a medical emergency and requested that the plane reroute to Miami.
The controller cleared the plane to reroute five minutes later, saying, "Let me know what else I can do for you."
The controller then said he'd prepare for medical personnel to be at the gate when the plane arrived.
Later on the tape, the pilot notified the controller that the passenger needing medical attention was female, around 45 years old, and facing "a cardiac issue."
After a doctor on the flight reportedly declared Desir dead, the flight continued as scheduled to John F. Kennedy Airport.
Recordings released Friday reveal that the pilot did not immediately notify the controller that anyone had died, he simply asked to continue on to New York.
"Yeah, he wants to go continue to New York," the recording stated. "He says cancel the medical emergency. I didn't ask him anything further, but he wants to go to New York."
The pilot informed the controller of Desir's death a little more than 15 minutes later, once en route back to New York.
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