A PILOT has died after collapsing in a toilet onboard a Boeing 787 while flying from Miami to Chile.
Ivan Andaur, 56, was flying flight LA505 from Miami International Airport to Santiago, Chile, on Sunday night when he began to feel ill.
A second pilot and co-pilot were forced 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 after the plane had landed.
A nurse, only known as Isadora on social media, said she tried to revive Andaur, along with another nurse and two doctors, while the plane was landing after he suffered symptoms related to cardiac arrest.
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She said that while they and the crew did their best to help him, Isadora said they didn’t have the “necessary or sufficient supplies” to resuscitate him.
Isadora said: “Unfortunately, we did not have the necessary or sufficient supplies to perform a good resuscitation.
“There LATAM needs to improve the issue of protocol in case of health and medical emergencies like this where lives can be saved but the resources are needed.”
It is not clear what the supplies were, the nurse was referring to.
Another female passenger said the flight had left Miami at around 11pm before one of the co-pilots had asked for medical assistance.
The woman, who has not been 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 had asked the passengers if anyone had items used for people who are insulin-dependent.
The woman said: “They told us that we were going to land because the pilot felt sick and when we arrived they asked us to evacuate the plane because the situation had worsened.”
The plane spent around 30 minutes at the gate before the airline announced the flight had been cancelled, according to Walter Guerra, a Chilevision TV producer who spoke to the news outlet LUN.
Passengers were booked into local hotels and the flight resumed on Tuesday afternoon.
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Andaur had flown in the Chile’s 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 many memories of flights, conversations and so many things... I have a giant lump in my throat.
“I only hope that you are with your Vero and from heaven you give strength to your daughter..!!!!! Fly high..!!!!!'
A spokesperson for LATAM said in a statement: “LATAM Airlines Group SA would like to inform that on August 14, 2023, flight LA505 (Miami - Santiago) diverted to Tocumen Airport in Panama for a medical emergency of one of the three members of the command crew.
"The group emphasises that all the necessary safety protocols were carried out during the flight in order to safeguard the life of the affected pilot.
"Unfortunately, after landing and receiving assistance on the ground the pilot passed away.
"At LATAM Airlines Group we are deeply saddened by what has happened and we extend our sincerest condolences to the family of our employee.
"We greatly appreciate his 25-year career and his valuable contribution, which was always distinguished by his dedication, professionalism and enthusiasm.
"Regarding our passengers, LATAM regrets the inconveniences that arose from this painful and unforeseen situation and would like to inform that they have departed for Santiago, Chile."
