Pilot collapses and dies in toilet while flying a Boeing 787 from Miami

A pilot died in the toilet of a Boeing 787 during a flight from Miami International Airport to Santiago, Chile.

Ivan Andaur, 56, fell ill on board flight LA505 on Sunday night (August 13) when his two co-pilots were forced to make an emergency landing at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City.

Andaur had collapsed in the plane's toilet. Paramedics rushed on to help him but he was sadly pronounced dead.

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A nurse called Isadora said on social media that she, another nurse and two doctors tried desperately to revive the pilot while the plane was landing. She said he suffered the symptoms of a cardiac arrest.

She said: “Unfortunately, we did not have the necessary or sufficient supplies to perform a good resuscitation.

“LATAM [the Chilean airline] 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.”

An unnamed female passenger said: "After 40 minutes the pilot asked us if there was a doctor on the plane, we don't know what happened there."

The woman added that a flight attendant asked passengers if anyone had items used for people who are insulin-dependent.

"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," she said.

Walter Guerra, a Chilevision television producer, told Chilean news outlet LUN the plane was kept at the gate for 30 minutes before the airline announced the flight was cancelled.

Guests were checked into hotels overnight and were able to resume their flight to Chile the next morning.

Andaur was a Chilean Air Force pilot before joining LATAM. He was married to Veronica Andaur, who passed away in 2017. The couple were parents to a daughter, Sofia Andaur.

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..!!!!!"

The airline said in a statement: "At LATAM we are deeply moved by what happened and we extend our most sincere condolences to the family of our collaborator.

"We are deeply grateful for his 25-year career and his valuable contribution, who has always stood out for his dedication, professionalism, and commitment."

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