Pilot Ivan Andaur, 56, collapses and dies in the toilet aboard a Boeing 787 he was flying from Miami to Chile
A pilot has collapsed in a toilet and died aboard a Boeing 787 en route from Miami to Chile.
Ivan Andaur, 56, was flying LA505 from Miami International Airport to Santiago, Chile, on Sunday night when he was beginning to feel nauseous.
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His two co-pilots had to make an emergency landing at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.
Paramedics boarded the plane to provide medical assistance, but Andaur was pronounced dead.
A nurse, known only as Isadora on social media, said she, along with another nurse and two doctors, tried to revive Andaur while the plane was landing after he suffered symptoms related to cardiac arrest.
She said that while she and the crew did their best to help him, Isadora said they did not have the “necessary or sufficient supplies” to revive him.
Isadora said: “Unfortunately, we did not have the necessary or sufficient supplies to do a good resuscitation.
“There, LATAM needs to improve the protocol for health and medical emergencies like these, where lives can be saved but the resources are needed.”
It is not clear what supplies the nurse was referring to.
Another passenger said the flight left Miami around 11 p.m. before one of the co-pilots called for medical assistance.
The woman, who could not be identified, said: “After 40 minutes the pilot asked us if there was a doctor on the plane, we don’t know what happened there.”
She said a flight attendant asked passengers if anyone had any insulin dependent items.
The woman said: “They told us we were going to land because the pilot felt ill and when we arrived they told us to evacuate the plane because the situation had deteriorated.”
The plane spent about 30 minutes at the gate before the airline announced the flight was canceled, according to Chilevision television producer Walter Guerra, who spoke to news agency LUN.
Passengers were accommodated in local hotels and the flight resumed on Tuesday afternoon.
Andaur had flown in the Chilean Air Force before joining LATAM.
His wife Veronica died in 2017 and they had a daughter, Sofia.
Sky Airline Captain Paula Mandini paid tribute to Andaur in a Facebook post.
She said: “I have a lot of memories of flights, conversations and so many things… I have a huge lump in my throat.
“I only hope that you are with your Vero and give your daughter strength from heaven..!!!!! Fly up..!!!!!’
The airline said in a statement: “At LATAM we are deeply touched by what has happened and we extend our sincerest condolences to our employee’s family.”
“We are deeply grateful for his 25-year career and valuable contribution, which has always stood out for his dedication, professionalism and dedication.”
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