Abroad
Turkish Airlines captain, 59, dies during US-Turkey flight, plane makes emergency landing in New York
Two other pilots took over control of the cockpit.
October 10, 2024, 10:38 AM
A Turkish Airlines pilot died mid-flight going from Seattle, United States to Istanbul, Turkey.
Ilcehin Pehlivan, 59, fell ill and collapsed in the Airbus A350 on Oct. 8, 2024, a Turkish Airlines spokesperson said on X.
Flight TK204 took off from Seattle at 7:02pm on Oct. 8.
Emergency landing made
After Pehlivan collapsed, a second pilot and a co-pilot took over the controls.
According to the BBC, the captain appeared to have collapsed while the flight was over Nunavut in Canada.
The flight crew provided first aid to the captain, but were unsuccessful.
They then decided to make an emergency landing at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York.
However, the captain died before landing.
The plane landed in New York, with plans underway for passengers to return to Turkey.
Captain underwent regular health check
Pehlivan has flown with Turkish Airlines since 2007, the spokesperson said, with his last regular health check on Mar. 8, 2024.
No health problems were detected that would have prevented him from working, the spokesperson added.
The cause of the pilot's death has not been released.
According to the BBC, pilots have to undergo medical exams every 12 months, while those aged over 40 have to renew their medical certificates every six months.
Top photo from TAP Air Portugal.
