Turkish Airlines Pilot Dies Mid-Flight, Emergency Landing Conducted

A Turkish Airlines pilot passed away after collapsing during a flight from Seattle, Washington to Istanbul, Turkey. The incident prompted an emergency landing in New York City, according to airline representatives.

Yahya Üstün, a spokesperson for Turkish Airlines, stated on social media early Wednesday morning that Captain Ilcehin Pehlivan, aged 59, fainted mid-flight aboard the Airbus A350 designated as flight TK204. “The captain pilot of our Airbus 350 … flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul fainted during the flight,” Üstün wrote in his post.

Despite efforts to administer first aid to Captain Pehlivan, the attempts proved futile. The co-pilot and another pilot managed to take control of the aircraft and chose to conduct an emergency landing. Sadly, Üstün added, “but our captain lost his life before landing.”

The aircraft had been airborne for approximately eight hours before making its unscheduled stop in New York, data from the aviation tracking service FlightAware indicates. Following the emergency landing, arrangements were made for the passengers to continue their journey to Istanbul from New York, Turkish Airlines confirmed.

As of yet, no official cause of death has been disclosed. Captain Pehlivan had been employed by Turkish Airlines since 2007 and had most recently undergone a routine medical examination in March, during which “no health problem was detected that would prevent him from working,” Üstün reported.

Turkish Airlines expressed their condolences in a formal statement, saying, “As Turkish Airlines, we… extend our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues, and all his loved ones.” The Turkish air traffic controllers’ association, TATCA, also paid tribute to Pehlivan’s service to the aviation community over the years.

Pilots are subject to comprehensive medical assessments annually, with professionals over the age of 40 required to renew their medical certifications every six months, according to industry regulations.