Turkish Airlines Pilot Dies Flying From U.S. To Turkey—Forcing Emergency Landing

Topline

A Turkish Airlines pilot died late Tuesday while flying to Turkey from the U.S., forcing an emergency landing in New York, the airline announced Wednesday.

Key Facts

Ilcehin Pehlivan, 59, collapsed during Turkish Airlines flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul, at which point crew members decided to make an emergency landing while attempting to revive him, airline spokesperson Yahya Ustun wrote on X.

Pehlivan died before the plane made an emergency landing in New York City, Ustun said, though his cause of death was not immediately clear.

The FAA told Forbes the flight landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport at around 6 a.m. EDT after “one of the pilots suffered a medical emergency.”

The plane—which departed Seattle-Tacoma International Airport late Tuesday—was flying over northern Canada before it diverted directly south toward New York City Wednesday morning, according to FlightAware.

Surprising Fact

Pehlivan, who had worked for Turkish Airlines since 2007, received a medical examination in March indicating he had no health issues that would have prevented him from working, Ustun said.

Crucial Quote

Turkish Airlines “deeply feel the loss of our captain and extend our sincerest condolences to [Pehlivan’s]

bereaved family, colleagues and all his loved ones,” Ustun wrote.

Further Reading