Pilot Dies Mid-Flight On Istanbul-Bound Turkish Airlines Flight, Forces Emergency Landing In New York

An Istanbul-bound Turkish Airlines flight was prompted to make an emergency landing in New York after the captain died mid-air. As per reports, the pilot lost consciousness after the flight took off from Seattle. The second pilot and co-pilot took over the controls immediately and made an emergency landing.

Turkish Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing After Pilot Dies Mid-Air

Ilcehin Pehlivan, a Turkish Airlines pilot, collapsed and died mid-air while flying from Seattle to Istanbul. As per an India Today report, the 59-year-old pilot lost consciousness after Flight 204 took off from Seattle on Tuesday night. His co-pilot immediately took over the controls and made an emergency landing in New York on Wednesday. Reportedly, the flight landed at John F Kennedy International Airport in New York a little before 6 AM on Wednesday. The plane made the emergency landing eight hours after it took off from Seattle.

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

According to the Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Ustun’s X post, the Airbus A350 pilot fainted during the flight. Despite the medical intervention, he was not able to gain consciousness. The cockpit crew, consisting of another captain and one co-pilot, then decided to make an emergency landing in New York. However, upon landing they discovered that the pilot had already lost his life.

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No Health Problems Found During The Last Medical Check-Up Of The Pilot

Ilcehin Pehlivan has been working with Turkish Airlines since 2007. He also took the periodic health examination on March 8 and no health issue was discovered then. As per policy, pilots have to undergo medical examinations every 12 months. It is also advised for pilots above the age of 40 to renew their medical certificate every six months. For now, the cause of the pilot’s death is unknown. The airline has extended its “sincerest condolences” to the bereaved family, friends, and colleagues for their loss.

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Turkish Airlines also made arrangements for passengers on the flight to ensure they reached their destination from New York.

This incident is quite unfortunate and deeply concerning. We hope the concerned authorities can come up with a solution to avoid such incidents in the future.

Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons