Simple Flying quite commonly reports on aircraft which have been diverted for one reason or another. Just last week saw a United Airlines aircraft get stuck in Goose Bay following a diversion. Unfortunately, today's diversion story occurred under tragic circumstances. Simple Flying has learnt that a Hawaiian Airlines Airbus A330 had to divert to San Francisco after a member of crew passed away during the flight. While it isn't unheard of for people to pass away during a flight, what makes this incident unusual is that it was a member of cabin crew who was affected.
HAL50
The tragic incident occurred on Hawaiian Airlines flight 50. HAL50 is scheduled to depart Honolulu at 1630. Following a 9 hour 15-minute flight, it is then scheduled to land at New York's John F Kennedy airport at 06:45 the next day. Unfortunately, on Friday the flight carrying 253 passengers and 12 crew didn't make it to New York. While flying across the Pacific Ocean, a crew member by the name of Emile Griffith suffered from a medical emergency.
Crew and doctors travelling on board performed CPR on Mr Griffith in the first class section of the aircraft. Upon arrival at the gate at San Francisco passengers were told to stay in their seats. It is reported by NBC News that efforts to resuscitate Mr Griffith were suspended in the air. Unfortunately, The San Mateo County Coroner declared Mr Griffith dead when the flight landed. It is thought that Mr Griffith, who has 31 years of experience at Hawaiian, suffered a heart attack.
Hawaiian Statment
Addressing members of the press Ann Botticelli, senior vice president of corporate communications at the airline, said: