transporting deceased onboard airliners?
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 236
Likes: 0
From: Nottingham,UK
This thread has answered a few questions for me.
One more, though. Someone dies midway through a fairly lengthy flight. The flight is full. If I was sitting next to said corpse would I be stuck with it for the rest of the journey? Or is it possible to lob the deceased in the hold? Er, respectfully lob in the hold.
One more, though. Someone dies midway through a fairly lengthy flight. The flight is full. If I was sitting next to said corpse would I be stuck with it for the rest of the journey? Or is it possible to lob the deceased in the hold? Er, respectfully lob in the hold.
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Skagness on the beach
Airline's new fleet includes a cupboard for corpses
The Guardian (UK) 05/11/04
author: Andrew Clark
Copyright (C) 2004 The Guardian; Source: World Reporter (TM)
It is always inconvenient when a passenger dies on an aeroplane - not least for the person sitting in the next seat. So Singapore Airlines has attempted to take the trauma out of such tragedies by introducing a special cupboard to store any unexpected corpse.
The airline's new fleet of Airbus A340-500 aircraft boasts a discreet locker next to one of the plane's exit doors which is long enough to store an average-sized body, with special straps to prevent any movement during a bumpy landing.
Cabin crew have been instructed to use the locker in the event of a death on a long-haul flight - particularly if the aircraft is busy, with no free seats on which to lay out the deceased.
The aircraft came into use in February, operating the longest non-stop route in the world: a 17-hour, 7,900-mile journey between Singapore and Los Angeles.
The length of the flight has forced Singapore Airlines to think carefully about its handling of any medical emergencies - particularly because the route spans the Pacific Ocean, with little opportunity for an unscheduled landing.
An airline spokeswoman said: "On the rare occasion when a passenger passes away during a flight the crew do all that is possible to manage the situation with sensitivity and respect.
"Unfortunately given the space constraints in an aircraft cabin, it is not always possible to find a row of seats where the deceased passenger can be placed and covered in a dignified manner, although this is always the preferred option.
"The compartment will be used only if no suitable space can be found elsewhere in the cabin."
The airline intends to begin a second route next month using the same long-range aircraft - the flight between Singapore and New York will skirt the north pole, offering equally little scope for diversion.
Richard Maslen, the assistant editor of Airliner World magazine, said the compartment was an interesting feature of the new aircraft, which seats 180 people.
"As far as I'm aware, this is not something that's been thought of in other aircraft designs in the past," he said.
"Obviously, these things do unfortunately happen in the air and it's good to see that they have been thought about in advance."
The Guardian (UK) 05/11/04
author: Andrew Clark
Copyright (C) 2004 The Guardian; Source: World Reporter (TM)
It is always inconvenient when a passenger dies on an aeroplane - not least for the person sitting in the next seat. So Singapore Airlines has attempted to take the trauma out of such tragedies by introducing a special cupboard to store any unexpected corpse.
The airline's new fleet of Airbus A340-500 aircraft boasts a discreet locker next to one of the plane's exit doors which is long enough to store an average-sized body, with special straps to prevent any movement during a bumpy landing.
Cabin crew have been instructed to use the locker in the event of a death on a long-haul flight - particularly if the aircraft is busy, with no free seats on which to lay out the deceased.
The aircraft came into use in February, operating the longest non-stop route in the world: a 17-hour, 7,900-mile journey between Singapore and Los Angeles.
The length of the flight has forced Singapore Airlines to think carefully about its handling of any medical emergencies - particularly because the route spans the Pacific Ocean, with little opportunity for an unscheduled landing.
An airline spokeswoman said: "On the rare occasion when a passenger passes away during a flight the crew do all that is possible to manage the situation with sensitivity and respect.
"Unfortunately given the space constraints in an aircraft cabin, it is not always possible to find a row of seats where the deceased passenger can be placed and covered in a dignified manner, although this is always the preferred option.
"The compartment will be used only if no suitable space can be found elsewhere in the cabin."
The airline intends to begin a second route next month using the same long-range aircraft - the flight between Singapore and New York will skirt the north pole, offering equally little scope for diversion.
Richard Maslen, the assistant editor of Airliner World magazine, said the compartment was an interesting feature of the new aircraft, which seats 180 people.
"As far as I'm aware, this is not something that's been thought of in other aircraft designs in the past," he said.
"Obviously, these things do unfortunately happen in the air and it's good to see that they have been thought about in advance."
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 436
Likes: 0
From: N. Europe
You'll want to note the body down on the passenger list though. What if there is a crash? "Oh yeah, we've gotten everyone out now. Unfortunately, one was dead." While someone is still left in the wreckage alive...
Hm, I seem to recall a specific instruction from my ramper days to load coffins so that the body would travel head first.
Cheers,
Fred
Hm, I seem to recall a specific instruction from my ramper days to load coffins so that the body would travel head first.
Cheers,
Fred
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,841
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
FT: Hm, I seem to recall a specific instruction from my ramper days to load coffins so that the body would travel head first.
I wonder ... in the UK the standard practise is always 'feet first'. This means that a coffin in a hearse has the feet in the middle of the vehicle with the head at the back. Whenever the body is carried, it is with the feet first. I think this stems from the religious idea that the dead will see the sun rise on the morning of resurrection or something.
Whatever the origins, this has now been so accepted into British society that it is seen as disrespectful to carry a corpse other than feet first.
I wonder ... in the UK the standard practise is always 'feet first'. This means that a coffin in a hearse has the feet in the middle of the vehicle with the head at the back. Whenever the body is carried, it is with the feet first. I think this stems from the religious idea that the dead will see the sun rise on the morning of resurrection or something.
Whatever the origins, this has now been so accepted into British society that it is seen as disrespectful to carry a corpse other than feet first.
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 4,704
Likes: 589
From: 500 miles from Chaikhosi, Yogistan
Coffins? We had the luxury of those sometimes. Other times it was just a body bag.
In a C210 as well....
At least bodybags are easier to load.
The noises and smells emitted from the bag when climbing to alt are something else though...
In a C210 as well....
At least bodybags are easier to load.
The noises and smells emitted from the bag when climbing to alt are something else though...
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,079
Likes: 0
From: Middlesesx
Flying to the UK the corpse should not be moved as it may be a scene of crime. It can only be assumed that death occurred by natural causes. In probability it may be practical to move the remains but on BA a/c there are not many lockers etc to place them in.
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
From: U.K.
HZ123
First I've ever heard of that! Where did you aquire that little nugget from (you are possibly right but I would be interested to know).
I think you will find that BA has exactly the same number of lockers (toilets) to place bodies in as any other airline.
Flying to the UK the corpse should not be moved as it may be a scene of crime.
I think you will find that BA has exactly the same number of lockers (toilets) to place bodies in as any other airline.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Australia
If a deceased passenger is left in the seat for the sole purpose of maintaining a crime scene, that would suggest police investigators board the aircraft and conduct the beginnings of a criminal evidence search... That very very rarely happens. Usually the body is just carried off.
With 400 passengers on an aircraft, its a statistical certainly that not always all will make it to their ticketed destination!
With 400 passengers on an aircraft, its a statistical certainly that not always all will make it to their ticketed destination!
Guest
Posts: n/a
In the UK people are always buried with their feet facing East (I think that's the same basis at the sunrise mentioned before).
Apart from Vicars who are buried feet West to face their flock.
You learn something new here everyday! (I had a very good upbringing, where did it all go wrong!!?)
Apart from Vicars who are buried feet West to face their flock.
You learn something new here everyday! (I had a very good upbringing, where did it all go wrong!!?)
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: gone surfin'
I used to work for a recovery service, which was responsible for bringing home travellers who became ill abroad. My job was to escort the patient during his travel home. I was advised, by one of my colleagues, that if a patient expired whilst in the airline seat, the best thing to do was to place an oxygen mask over the patient, and have a discrete word with the crew.
Thankfully it never happened to me, so I was never placed in such a situation.
I can see the logic however. Its sometimes very difficult to tell the difference between a patient who is "nearly dead" and "dead", even to the trained eye.
Sounds a bit callous, but could prevent distress to all concerned ?
Thankfully it never happened to me, so I was never placed in such a situation.
I can see the logic however. Its sometimes very difficult to tell the difference between a patient who is "nearly dead" and "dead", even to the trained eye.
Sounds a bit callous, but could prevent distress to all concerned ?
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,242
Likes: 0
From: Australia
On some flights out of the Middle East many were coming for treatment and sadly some didn't make it. As these were night flights we would do as Gingernut suggests, oxygen mask and leave them in their seat, if possible.
On arrival LHR it was not allowed to disembark the pax immediately however, we had to give a short PA and wait for the doctor and a policeman to confirm there had been no foul play.
On arrival LHR it was not allowed to disembark the pax immediately however, we had to give a short PA and wait for the doctor and a policeman to confirm there had been no foul play.
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: ask gavin
thankfully i've never been in a situation of handling a body (been very close though!) But our airline isn't allowed to carry human remains only the powder form! 
So if one should pop their clogs before landing should we toss them out since we cant have them on board?!
EB
So if one should pop their clogs before landing should we toss them out since we cant have them on board?!
EB
niknak
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 0
From: UK
Some time ago a friend flying a C404 on night mail was asked to transport a coffin (occupied) as well as mail bags. Unfortunately, he had to make an unscheduled stop enroute due to a tech' problem, but couldnt get in touch with company to tell them.
When he landed, the engineers told him they'd have to unload all the cargo to access the origin of the fault, but would replace it all when they resolved the problem.
Being considerate engineers, they put the coffin in a discreet area out of view, but forgot to tell the oncoming shift about it. Their oncoming colleagues fixed the problem, reloaded the mail bags, and off went my mate - minus the coffin.
Arriving at destination, hearse rolls up at the stand alongside the Royal Mail vans, and the awful truth dawns upon the pilot, who spent a good 30 minutes trying to convince his boss he hadn't carried out his own committal of the deceased.
Meanwhile, ashen faced engineers find coffin in crew room at dead of night..........
When he landed, the engineers told him they'd have to unload all the cargo to access the origin of the fault, but would replace it all when they resolved the problem.
Being considerate engineers, they put the coffin in a discreet area out of view, but forgot to tell the oncoming shift about it. Their oncoming colleagues fixed the problem, reloaded the mail bags, and off went my mate - minus the coffin.
Arriving at destination, hearse rolls up at the stand alongside the Royal Mail vans, and the awful truth dawns upon the pilot, who spent a good 30 minutes trying to convince his boss he hadn't carried out his own committal of the deceased.
Meanwhile, ashen faced engineers find coffin in crew room at dead of night..........
Niknak
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 0
From: Australia
It seems that Aircrew have the same fascination with the macabre as anyone else! Thank God we're normal.
A TRUE story from the 1970's in New Guinea.
There was a serious mining accident at Kieta, with a great number of people killed in the land-slide. Recovery of the bodies took weeks, with the last recovered well ripened in the tropical heat. The 2 airlines, TAA and Ansett, had a steady stream of coffins as freight out of Kieta, until the coffins ran out, whereupon the 'well ripened' victims were bagged in plastic and carried in cardboard boxes. On one such flight, the plastic bags burst, issuing forth great quantities of ooze, and the most horrific smell.
With gagging / vomitting passengers, and the pilots using oxygen, the aircraft landed at Buka, and help requested from the local hospital. A coffin was made available, but, being a Sunday, no staff were available to assist. The cabin crew said she could help.
With minimal and (very) unwilling conscripted help, she unpacked the contents of the cardboard box, transferred them to the coffin, and re-sealed it under the wing of the DC3. After suitably cleaning up, she announced that the flight could depart when ready.
One fact that she hadn't told her colleagues was that her previous employment was as a mortuary attendant.
Now THAT's passenger service beyond the call of duty - the type that other airlines only talk about.
A TRUE story from the 1970's in New Guinea.
There was a serious mining accident at Kieta, with a great number of people killed in the land-slide. Recovery of the bodies took weeks, with the last recovered well ripened in the tropical heat. The 2 airlines, TAA and Ansett, had a steady stream of coffins as freight out of Kieta, until the coffins ran out, whereupon the 'well ripened' victims were bagged in plastic and carried in cardboard boxes. On one such flight, the plastic bags burst, issuing forth great quantities of ooze, and the most horrific smell.
With gagging / vomitting passengers, and the pilots using oxygen, the aircraft landed at Buka, and help requested from the local hospital. A coffin was made available, but, being a Sunday, no staff were available to assist. The cabin crew said she could help.
With minimal and (very) unwilling conscripted help, she unpacked the contents of the cardboard box, transferred them to the coffin, and re-sealed it under the wing of the DC3. After suitably cleaning up, she announced that the flight could depart when ready.
One fact that she hadn't told her colleagues was that her previous employment was as a mortuary attendant.
Now THAT's passenger service beyond the call of duty - the type that other airlines only talk about.
