Lawsuit blames Korean Air for midflight death of DOD civilian

Complaint alleges airline crew failed to properly respond to passenger's medical emergency

Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:49am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a medical device, such as a defibrillator, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the allegations of improper medical response during the in-flight emergency.The lawsuit alleges Korean Air crew failed to properly use the aircraft's defibrillator to save the life of a DOD civilian passenger.Fort Belvoir Today

A lawsuit filed by the estate of Porscha Brown, a 33-year-old U.S. Defense Department employee who died of a heart attack during a Korean Air flight in 2024, claims the airline's crew failed to properly administer oxygen and use the aircraft's defibrillator, leading to her death.

Why it matters

This case raises concerns about airline safety protocols and crew training for in-flight medical emergencies, as well as potential liability for carriers when passengers suffer harm or death due to alleged negligence.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Brown began experiencing distress about 12 hours into the 15.5-hour flight from Washington Dulles to Incheon, South Korea, clutching her chest and saying she couldn't breathe. The complaint alleges Korean Air personnel 'failed to properly administer oxygen' to Brown, and did not use the aircraft's automated external defibrillator even after she lost consciousness. The flight ultimately made an emergency landing in Osaka, Japan, where Brown was pronounced dead on arrival.

  • On March 29, 2024, Porscha Brown died of acute cardiac failure during the Korean Air flight.
  • Four days before her death, Brown received a reward for excellence from the Fort Belvoir garrison commander.

The players

Porscha Brown

A 33-year-old safety specialist at the U.S. Army's Fort Belvoir, Virginia, who died of a heart attack during a Korean Air flight in 2024.

Korean Air

The airline operating the flight on which Porscha Brown died, which is now facing a lawsuit over its crew's alleged failure to properly respond to the medical emergency.

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What they’re saying

“The airline maintains that the flight crew 'immediately took action to assess the situation and provided the proper medical assistance'.”

— Diane Yang, Spokesperson for Korean Air

What’s next

The lawsuit is currently proceeding through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where Korean Air plans to 'fully respond to and participate in the legal proceedings'.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the critical importance of airline crews being properly trained and equipped to handle in-flight medical emergencies, as well as the potential legal consequences carriers may face if they are alleged to have failed in their duty of care to passengers.