New York-bound LOT flight diverts to Copenhagen after passenger dies mid-flight

LOT Polish Airlines flight LO26 from Warsaw to New York JFK was forced to make an emergency landing in Copenhagen on Saturday after a passenger died on board.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner registered SP-LRB had been airborne for about two hours when the crew diverted to Denmark, where medical teams met the aircraft upon arrival, the Polish outlet Onet reported.

LOT confirmed the unscheduled stop, stating the decision was made “due to a medical emergency on board.” The identity and cause of death of the passenger have not been disclosed.

Observers tracking the flight online questioned why the aircraft did not land at Oslo Airport, which was geographically closer. Aviation experts explained that the Dreamliner’s heavy fuel load early in the flight made it too heavy to safely land at a smaller airport, prompting the diversion to Copenhagen, which has facilities equipped to handle large long-haul aircraft.

The flight was later cancelled, and passengers were rebooked on subsequent services to New York.

Source: TVP