What is the first step when a passenger is reported missing on board?

• A. Notify ground staff.
• B. Notify the flight deck.
• C. Search cabins.
• D. Follow missing passenger protocol.

Answer: (B)

The first action is to notify the flight deck because the captain is responsible for the aircraft’s safety and for coordinating the response. By informing the flight deck immediately, they can assess the situation, determine that a passenger is missing, and initiate the missing passenger protocol. The flight deck has the authority to communicate with dispatch and, if needed, ground resources or authorities, and they’ll authorize the subsequent steps to take.

Once the flight deck is alerted, they’ll guide the rest of the response and ensure actions are orderly. Notifying ground staff, starting a cabin search, and following the missing passenger protocol are all important parts of the overall process, but they depend on the flight deck’s direction to avoid conflicting actions and to activate the correct procedures.