A Turkish Airlines flight diverted to New York on Wednesday morning after one of its pilots died.
Flight 204 was traveling from Seattle to Istanbul when it was diverted to John F. Kennedy International Airport for an emergency landing at approximately 6 a.m. after “one of the pilots suffered a medical emergency,” according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Capt. İlçehin Pehlivan “lost consciousness” during the flight, and after initial medical intervention proved ineffective, the co-pilot was rerouted to JFK, where the Airbus A320 safely landed, the airline said in a statement.
Turkish Airlines also confirmed that Pehlivan died before the plane touched ground. Since it was a long-haul international flight, two other pilots were on board at the time.
Upon landing, the aircraft was met by emergency personnel, according to airport authorities.
Pehlivan, 59, had been working for Turkish Airlines since 2009. His last routine health check was performed on March 8, 2024, and no health issues were detected that would have prevented him from carrying out his duties as a pilot, according to the airline.
Yahya Üstün, senior vice president of media relations at Turkish Airlines, expressed his condolences in a post on X, saying, “We deeply feel the loss of our captain and extend our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues, and all his loved ones.”
The airline said it is making arrangements to rebook the affected passengers on new flights from New York.
A Turkish Airlines flight en route from Istanbul to New York City was forced to make an emergency landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Saturday after the pilot suffered a fatal heart attack midflight.
The flight, TK-1, was carrying 326 passengers and 21 crew members when the pilot suddenly fell ill approximately four hours into the journey. Despite efforts by the co-pilot and other crew members to revive him, the pilot tragically passed away before the plane could land.
In a statement released by Turkish Airlines, the airline confirmed the pilot’s death and expressed their condolences to his family. The airline also praised the quick thinking and professionalism of the crew in handling the emergency situation.
Passengers on board the flight reported feeling shocked and saddened by the pilot’s sudden death, but also expressed gratitude for the calm and efficient response of the crew. One passenger, Sarah Johnson, told reporters, “It was a very emotional experience, but the crew did an amazing job of keeping everyone calm and safe.”
After landing at JFK Airport, the flight was met by emergency medical personnel who confirmed the pilot’s death. The passengers were then transferred to a different aircraft to continue their journey to New York City.
The incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of air travel and the importance of well-trained and experienced crew members in handling emergencies. Turkish Airlines has not released any further details about the pilot or his medical history, but they have assured the public that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
Despite the tragic circumstances, the safe landing of TK-1 at JFK Airport is a testament to the professionalism and expertise of the crew on board. The airline has been praised for their handling of the situation and for ensuring the safety and well-being of all passengers and crew members.
As air travel continues to be a popular mode of transportation for millions of people around the world, incidents like this serve as a sobering reminder of the risks involved. However, with proper training, preparation, and quick thinking, airlines like Turkish Airlines are able to respond effectively to emergencies and ensure the safety of their passengers.
