Turkish Airlines pilot dies mid-air and diverts to New York
The pilot of an Airbus 350 full of passengers has died midair forcing his co-pilot to make a desperate emergency detour to New York.
World
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The pilot of a Turkish Airlines flight bound for Istanbul has made an emergency landing in New York after the pilot died suddenly shortly after take off from Seattle.
The passengers on the Airbus 350 were all unharmed in the horrifying incident which took place on Tuesday evening.
Flight trackers show the plane taking a sharp detour from the intended flight path as the emergency unfolds on-board.
Turkish Airlines Senior Vice President of Media Relations Yahya Ustun confirmed on X that beloved pilot Ilcehin Pehlivan, 59, was unable to be revived despite all efforts to get flight TK204 grounded quickly and safely.
“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,” Mr Ustun said.
“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.”
TK204 sefer sayılı Seatle- İstanbul seferini icra eden TC-LGR kuyruk tescilli Airbus 350 tipi uçağımızın Kaptan Pilot’u İlçehin PEHLİVAN, sefer esnasında baygınlık geçirmiştir. Kaptanımıza uçakta yapılan ilk doktor müdahalesi sonuçsuz kalınca 1 kaptan ve 1 yardımcı pilottan…
— Yahya ÃœSTÃœN (@yhyustun) October 9, 2024
Mr Pehlivan was a veteran pilot who had worked for the Turkish national carrier since 2007.
Mr Ustun confirmed the pilot was fit an healthy to fly according to his recent medical.
“A periodic health examination was carried out on March 8, 2024 at the Aviation Medical Center authorised by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, and no health problem was detected that would prevent him from working,” Mr Ustun said.
After the plane’s abrupt emergency landing, passengers were able to continue on from JFK to their destination in Istanbul.
Originally published as Turkish Airlines pilot dies mid-air and diverts to New York
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