Passenger died after American Airlines crew allegedly delayed to call for medical help

Saturday, April 26, 2025 - The family of a man who died during an American Airlines flight has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging the airline’s crew delayed seeking medical help until all passengers had exited the plane.

John William Cannon, 62, died on April 29, 2023. According to the lawsuit filed by his son, Kyle Cannon, his death could have been prevented if the flight crew had acted sooner during what was described as an “escalating medical crisis.”

American Airlines responded to the lawsuit, in statement saying they are “reviewing the complaint.”

The incident began on April 28, 2023, when Cannon boarded Flight 1444 from Louisville International Airport en route to Dallas, part of a trip to Colorado to attend a celebration of life for his late partner, Kyle’s attorney told McClatchy News.

After landing in Dallas, Cannon reportedly suffered a medical episode — described as a "syncopal event" — while exiting the aircraft. He was assisted to the floor of the jet bridge but was cleared to continue on to his connecting flight, AAL4896, operated by Envoy Air.

Despite showing “concerning signs of medical distress,” the lawsuit alleges that airline personnel transferred Cannon to the next flight without proper medical evaluation.

During the second flight, Cannon became unresponsive. The lawsuit claims that the flight crew delayed calling for emergency assistance until the plane landed, reached the gate, and all other passengers had disembarked.

Firefighters from Durango La Plata responded and provided oxygen, but Cannon’s condition deteriorated en route to Mercy Medical Center. He went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead in the early hours of April 29.

Kyle Cannon and his attorneys allege the airline’s failure to act contributed directly to his father's death.

“The circumstances of this case represent a tangible manifestation of a corporate culture at American Airlines that prioritizes inaction over intervention,” said attorneys Joseph LoRusso and Jessica McBryant in a statement to PEOPLE. “This ingrained culture, to which John Cannon tragically fell victim, underscores a systemic issue the family is determined to address — both in seeking justice for John and advocating for broader organizational change.”

The family is seeking damages exceeding $75,000 for John Cannon’s suffering, medical costs, lost income, and other related losses, in addition to legal fees.