Commercial Airline Pilot Dies Mid-Flight, Prompts Emergency Landing

A Turkish Airlines flight made an emergency landing early Wednesday after one of the pilots died mid-flight.

The flight, traveling from Seattle to Istanbul, diverted to New York’s JFK International Airport.

“The Captain Pilot of our Airbus 350 type aircraft with the tail registration TC-LGR, operating the flight number TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul, İlçehin PEHLİVAN, fainted during the flight. When the first medical intervention to our captain on the plane was ineffective, the cockpit crew consisting of 1 captain and 1 co-pilot decided to make an emergency landing, but our captain lost his life before landing,” airline spokesman Yahya Ustun said (translated).

“Having worked at Turkish Airlines since 2007, İlçehin PEHLİVAN was 59 years old. A periodic health examination was carried out on 08.03.2024 at the Aviation Medical Center authorized by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, and no health problem was detected that would prevent him from working. Our plane has decided to land in New York, and our passengers’ return home is planned via New York station,” he added.

TK204 sefer sayılı Seatle- İstanbul seferini icra eden TC-LGR kuyruk tescilli Airbus 350 tipi uçağımızın Kaptan Pilot’u İlçehin PEHLİVAN, sefer esnasında baygınlık geçirmiştir. Kaptanımıza uçakta yapılan ilk doktor müdahalesi sonuçsuz kalınca 1 kaptan ve 1 yardımcı pilottan…

— Yahya ÜSTÜN (@yhyustun) October 9, 2024

From the New York Post:

The crew decided to divert to JFK airport, where the plane landed safely shortly before 6 a.m.

Pehlivan had worked for Turkish Airlines since 2007 and had just passed a medical examination in March that showed no health problems, Ustun said.

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Turkish Airlines flight makes an emergency landing at New York’s JFK after the captain dies onboard, airline officials have said.

The 59-year-old pilot was identified as Ilcehin Pehlivan.

The Airbus A350-900 was heading from Seattle to Istanbul when it made the diversion.… pic.twitter.com/2TNsgm30Wo

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) October 9, 2024

Turkish Airlines flight makes emergency landing at JFK after captain dies onboard https://t.co/74AEgg16ng pic.twitter.com/a2pjtEwkxl

— New York Post (@nypost) October 9, 2024

Per Daily Mail:

The spokesperson added in his statement: ‘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.’

Flight trackers show the jet flying north over Canada on Tuesday evening before it was abruptly diverted.

It is seen turning around over Baffin Island before heading south to JFK International airport.

The plane is said to have landed safely in New York, with passengers continuing their journey to Turkey via JFK.

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at 100 Percent Fed Up.

View the original article here.