Woman Who Died on Air France Flight Was Member of Kansas Air National Guard, Police Say

Mar. 15, 2025

Kansas Air National Guard Master Sgt. Barbara DiPoli.Photo:Master Sgt. Allen Pickert/Air National Guard

Master Sgt. Allen Pickert/Air National Guard

A woman who died on an Air France flight has been identified as a member of the Kansas Air National Guard, authorities said.

Air France said in a news release that the customer “was taken ill” during a flight from Paris to Boston on Tuesday, Jan. 14, according toNBC News.

“Despite the assistance of a doctor on board, the customer couldn’t be rescued,” Air France said in its statement.

MSP has identified the woman as 53-year-old Barbara Dipoli of Topeka, Kan.

Dipoli was a member of the Kansas Air National Guard, according toNBC BostonandThe Boston Globe.

State police said the woman’s death appeared to result “from a medical episode during the flight.”

DiPoli “served approximately 22 months in Iraq over two deployments,” according to a statement from theKansas Air National Guardfrom 2015, the same year she began a new role with the agency.

The exact cause and manner of Dipoli’s death have not been disclosed. State police describe the situation as “an unattended death.”

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“We offer our condolences to her family and loved ones,” MSP said in its statement.

“Air France regrets this sad event and expresses its sincere condolences,” the airline said, per NBC News.

Air France did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Air France said crew members on its flights “are regularly trained to handle these kinds of situations,” according to NBC News.

source: people.com