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Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines Pilot Dies Mid-Flight from Seattle to Istanbul

A Turkish Airlines pilot, Captain Ilcehin Pehlivan, 59, has tragically died after falling ill mid-flight on a journey from Seattle, in the northwest United States, to Istanbul, Turkey. According to BBC, the incident occurred during flight TK204, which took off shortly after 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

The airline’s spokesperson, Yahya Ustun, confirmed the news on the social media platform X, stating that Captain Pehlivan collapsed while in control of the aircraft. Despite immediate first-aid efforts, his condition worsened. “When first aid to our captain on the plane was unsuccessful, the cockpit crew… decided to make an emergency landing, but he died before landing,” Ustun explained.

Following the captain’s collapse, the second pilot and co-pilot swiftly assumed control of the Airbus A350. The crew diverted the flight and made an emergency landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. Pehlivan passed away before the plane could land.

According to flight data, the pilot appears unwell while flying over Nunavut, a remote Canadian territory.

Captain Pehlivan had been with Turkish Airlines since 2007 and had a spotless health record, passing a routine medical examination as recently as March of this year. Turkish Airlines emphasized that no health issues were detected during that checkup, which could have affected his ability to fly.

The Turkish Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (TATCA) expressed its sorrow over the sudden loss and offered condolences to Captain Pehlivan’s family, friends, and colleagues. Pehlivan was remembered as a respected and experienced member of the aviation community.

The cause of death has not yet been confirmed. Pilots, particularly those over the age of 40 like Pehlivan, are required to undergo medical examinations at least every six months to ensure they meet the rigorous health standards required by the industry.

This tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Turkish aviation sector, as Captain Pehlivan’s passing marks the loss of a veteran pilot with years of dedicated service.

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