Turkish Airlines Pilot Dies Mid-flight, Forcing Emergency Landing In New York

59-year-old Turkish Airlines pilot collapses, dies mid-flight, forcing emergency landing in New York.

Pilot reportedly passed a medical exam in March, which gave no indication of any health problems.

A Turkish Airlines pilot died after collapsing mid-flight, forcing the Turkish national carrier to make an emergency landing in New York, the airline spokesman Yahya Ustun wrote on X.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening after the A350-900, registered as TC-LGR, took off from the western US coastal city of Seattle bound for Istanbul Airport in turkey.

“The pilot of our Airbus 350… flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul collapsed during the flight,” the spokesman wrote.

“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.”

The 59-year-old pilot, named Ilcehin Pehlivan, had worked for Turkish Airlines since 2007. He reportedly passed a medical exam in March, which gave no indication of any health problems.

The spokesperson added in his statement that : “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.”

• See Also : Nigeria Customs Acquires Cessna Caravan Aircraft To Bolster Air Patrol, Check Anti-smuggling Activities