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10-2-19

Reporting Death, Illness, or Other Public Health Risk on Board Aircraft

JO 7110.65BB, Change 3, effective July 9, 2026 · Official text on faa.gov

If an air traffic controller receives a report of the death of person, an illness, and/or other public health risk obtain the following information and notify the operations manager in charge (OMIC)/operations supervisor (OS)/controller-in-charge (CIC) as soon as possible.
1. Call sign.
2. Number of suspected cases of illness on board.
3. Nature of the illnesses or other public health risk, if known.
4. Number of persons on board.
5. Number of deaths, if applicable.
6. Pilot's intent (for example, continue to destination or divert).
7. Any request for assistance (for example, needing emergency medical services to meet the aircraft at arrival).
The OMIC/OS/CIC must relay the information to the DEN as soon as possible.
Note
1. If the ATC facility is not actively monitoring the DEN or does not have a dedicated line to the DEN, they must call into the DEN directly via 844-432-2962 (toll free).
2. Except in extraordinary circumstances, such as a situation requiring ATC intervention, follow-on coordination regarding the incident will not involve ATC frequencies.
3. The initial report to a U.S. ATC facility may be passed from a prior ATC facility along the route of flight.
Reference

FAA Order JO 7210.3, Para 2-1-37, Reporting Death, Illness, or Other Public Health Risk On Board Aircraft.