B737-800
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Time Pressure; Workload; Situational Awareness
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Human Factors
On short final; inside the final approach fix; I was notified that a passenger ran into the first class lavatory and was possibly sick and wouldn't come out. After a quick discussion with my First Officer I felt it would be safer to continue the approach and land. I exercised Captain's emergency authority because I felt to go around with all of the early morning traffic posed a greater threat to the flight than to land. Also if the passenger was sick and needed medical attention being on the ground would be best. We landed softly and taxied to the gate without incident. She eventually came out of the restroom and didn't want any medical assistance.
Just prior to 18;000 feet on arrival; a non-English speaking elderly lady went into the forward lavatory. Between 10;000 feet and the landing gear coming down; the D FA attempted to have the lady return to her seat. At the time the landing gear was lowered I notified the pilots and they made the decision to land due to safety concerns. I notified the [FA] to alert the passenger. The D and I took our jump seats. About 2 minutes prior to touchdown; the lady started to exit the lavatory. Knowing she walked slowly and was unsteady on her feet; I felt it safer to have her take a seat in the lavatory rather than risk having her fall on landing. She remained seated in the lavatory until gate arrival and then she went back to her seat. She was uninjured. [I] had the FA speak with her on de-planning to ensure she was OK.Passenger went into the lavatory and did not return to her seat in time for landing. I believe a language barrier may have contributed.
The Captain landed with a sick passenger in the lavatory; deciding that it was the safest course of action.