Jonathan Harris, a law professor, is locked in a legal battle with Boeing, seeking $40 million in damages after a harrowing flight left him with debilitating health problems.
Last year, while traveling from Atlanta to Los Angeles on a Delta Airlines Boeing 737, Harris experienced a terrifying ordeal as the cabin filled with the acrid smell of engine oil. He struggled to breathe and was violently ill during the flight.
The day after landing, a hospital visit revealed alarming levels of oxygen deprivation alongside dangerously high concentrations of bicarbonate and carbon monoxide in his blood. These findings pointed to a serious exposure incident.
Harris’s life has been irrevocably altered. Once a dedicated runner, he now requires assistance to remain stable and has even suffered a broken ankle due to balance issues stemming from the exposure.
He now avoids air travel whenever possible, and when forced to fly, he carries a gas mask as a desperate measure of protection. The lingering effects include persistent headaches and chest tightness, requiring ongoing medical intervention.
The lawsuit alleges that cabin crew dismissed his urgent requests to evacuate passengers after landing, despite the pervasive and concerning odor throughout the aircraft. This inaction, he claims, exacerbated the situation.
These incidents, known as “fume events,” are surprisingly common. Experts estimate they occur daily worldwide, yet airlines and manufacturers aren’t routinely required to document them.
Data from NASA revealed 362 voluntarily reported fume events between January 2018 and December 2019, resulting in medical treatment for nearly 400 passengers and crew members. The true scale of the problem is likely far greater.
The consequences of fume exposure can be devastating, extending beyond immediate discomfort to include long-term neurological and psychological effects – headaches, fatigue, memory loss, depression, and impaired concentration are all frequently reported.
A chilling example occurred in 2020 when a British Airways pilot was forced to take control of a flight just before landing after the co-pilot suddenly collapsed at the controls, believed to be due to a fume event. While the airline disputed the collapse, a Mayday call was issued, highlighting the potential for catastrophic outcomes.
The lack of mandatory reporting creates a significant gap in understanding the frequency and severity of these events, leaving passengers and crew vulnerable to potentially life-altering health consequences.
