Turkish Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Pilot’s Death Mid-Flight
A Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle to Istanbul made an unexpected emergency landing at New York’s JFK International Airport on Wednesday after the pilot, İlçehin Pehlivan, collapsed and died mid-flight.
“The pilot of our Airbus 350… flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul collapsed during the flight,” Yahya Üstün, Turkish Airlines spokesman, stated on X (formerly Twitter). “After an unsuccessful attempt to give first aid, the flight crew of another pilot and a co-pilot decided to make an emergency landing, but he died before landing.”
Pehlivan, 59, had been with Turkish Airlines since 2007 and had passed a periodic health exam on August 3, receiving a clean bill of health from the General Directorate of Civil Aviation.
“As the Turkish Airlines family, we wish God’s mercy upon our captain and patience to his grieving family, all his colleagues and loved ones,” Üstün said.
The passengers on the diverted flight TK204 will be flown to Istanbul from JFK International.
The incident highlights the importance of pilot health and safety protocols. FlightAware data shows the flight departed Seattle on Tuesday at 7:02 p.m. and landed at JFK on Wednesday at 5:57 a.m.
This unexpected event raises concerns about the well-being of airline staff and the measures in place to ensure their health and safety during flights.