Turkish Airlines pilot dies mid-flight, plane makes emergency landing in NY

A Turkish Airlines flight made an emergency landing at JFK Airport in New York on Wednesday, Oct. 9, after its pilot collapsed mid-flight an d later died . In a statement, the airline said flight TK2O4 was on its way from Seattle to Istanbul when the pilot fainted.

After efforts to provide him first aid did not help, the cockpit crew, consisting of another pilot and copilot, decided to make an emergency landing . Even with the attempts to save the pilot, the airline later said, “Our captain lost his life before landing.”

The flight’s path, as seen on the tracking site FlightAware , displays a sharp turn toward New York, indicating the change in direction for an emergency landing at JFK around 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Turkish Airlines identified the pilot as 59-year-old Ilcehin Pehlivan, who has been working for the company since 2007.  Pehlivan had undergone a medical examination earlier this year which showed no health problems that would prevent him from working, according to the airline.

“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,” spokesperson Yahya Ustun posted to X .

Turkish Airlines said passengers from the original flight would be connected through New York to continue their trip to Istanbul.

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