Passenger jet makes emergency landing after pilot dies mid-air

A passenger jet was forced into an emergency landing in New York after the pilot died mid-flight.

The Turkish Airlines Airbus 350 had taken off from Seattle on Tuesday evening and was en route to Istanbul when the alarm was raised.

The pilot, 59, named as İlçehin Pehlivan had worked for the airline since 2007 and had passed a medical examination in March, the airline said.

A spokesperson told CBS: "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.

"We wish God's mercy upon our captain and patience to his grieving family, all his colleagues and loved ones."

Airline spokesman Yahya Ustun wrote on X that the pilot of flight TK204 collapsed during the flight.

The pilot had worked for Turkish Airlines since 2007 and had passed a medical examination in March, which gave no indication of any health problems, Ustun wrote.

Flight trackers show the jet's path on Tuesday evening before it was abruptly diverted to JFK International airport.

The plane landed safely in New York, with passengers continuing their journey to Turkey via JFK, according to the airline.

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