Turkish Airlines Pilot Dies Mid-Flight, Forces Emergency Landing at JFK

A tragic incident occurred on a Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle to Istanbul when the captain, Ilcehin Pehlivan, lost consciousness and died mid-flight. The aircraft, an Airbus A350-900, was forced to make an emergency landing at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport early Wednesday morning.

According to Turkish Airlines, Captain Pehlivan had been with the company since 2007 and had undergone a standard health examination in March, which did not reveal any medical conditions that could hinder his responsibilities. Despite initial medical intervention on board, efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

The co-pilot managed to take control of the aircraft and executed a successful landing. The plane, designated Flight 204, touched down at approximately 6 a.m. Eastern Time. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the emergency landing and referred further inquiries to the airline.

Details of the Incident

Flight 8JK departed from Seattle at 7:02 p.m. Pacific Time on Tuesday. Approximately eight hours into the flight, Captain Pehlivan became unresponsive. After attempts to revive him proved futile, the crew opted to divert to JFK Airport.

The cause of Captain Pehlivan's death has not been disclosed. Turkish Airlines expressed their profound sorrow over the loss of their captain, offering heartfelt condolences to his family, coworkers, and all those who were close to him.

The airline is currently coordinating arrangements for passengers to continue their journey to Istanbul from JFK. This incident highlights the importance of having two crew members present in the cockpit, as mandated by the FAA for pilots aged over 40 who must undergo two medical evaluations annually.

Similar Incidents

A similar incident occurred in 2015 when a 57-year-old American Airlines pilot died during an overnight flight from Phoenix to Boston. The first officer took over and made an emergency landing in Syracuse.

Turkish Airlines has assured that arrangements are being made for passengers to return to Istanbul out of JFK. The airline's statement reads: 'As Turkish Airlines, we deeply feel the loss of our captain and extend our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues, and all his loved ones.'

The FAA has acknowledged the occurrence in a statement, indicating that 'one of the pilots experienced a medical emergency.' The agency directed further inquiries to the airline.

Response and Coordination

Turkish Airlines is working closely with the FAA and other authorities to ensure that all necessary procedures are followed. The airline's priority is the safety and well-being of its passengers and crew.

As the investigation into the cause of Captain Pehlivan's death continues, Turkish Airlines remains committed to providing support to those affected by this tragic event.

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