Man dies inside flight at Lucknow airport; 2nd such case within 72 hours

A passenger onboard Air India flight AI2845 from Delhi to Lucknow was found dead while still seated after landing at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport. The incident came to light when the crew noticed that the passenger, identified as Asif Ulha Ansari, had not unfastened his seatbelt or responded after the aircraft reached Lucknow at 8:10 AM. The shocking event marks the second death at the airport within 72 hours, prompting an official investigation by the police.

According to sources, Ansari had been fine during the journey, but suddenly became unresponsive after drinking water before landing. When crew members attempted to wake him, he did not respond, leading them to alert the onboard medical team. A doctor on the flight examined him and declared him dead on the spot. The airport police were immediately informed, and his body was taken for postmortem to determine the exact cause of death.

Authorities have not yet disclosed any preliminary findings, stating that the postmortem report will reveal the actual cause. The Lucknow police confirmed that Ansari’s family has been notified, and they are currently gathering more details regarding his medical history. The incident has raised concerns about sudden passenger fatalities during air travel, especially as this marks the second fatality at the airport within three days.

While officials have not linked the two deaths at the airport, the quick succession of these incidents has triggered speculation and concern among airport staff and travelers. Passengers at Lucknow Airport were seen discussing the tragedy, with many questioning whether medical screenings should be more rigorous before boarding flights.

Aviation experts note that medical emergencies during flights, though rare, can be fatal if pre-existing conditions go unnoticed. Airlines do not conduct health checks before passengers board, relying instead on self-declarations and emergency response measures if a health issue arises mid-flight. However, such unexplained deaths often lead to thorough investigations to rule out foul play or underlying conditions.

The Lucknow police and airport authorities have launched a formal probe into both deaths, and further updates are expected once the postmortem report is available. Until then, the cause of Ansari’s death remains undetermined, adding an air of mystery to the tragedy.