By Abigail Philip David
A Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle to Istanbul was forced to make an emergency landing in New York after the plane’s captain, Ilcehin Pehlivan, 59, tragically fell ill and died mid-flight. The incident occurred while the flight, designated TK204, was over Canadian airspace, prompting the co-pilot and second pilot to take control.
According to Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Ustun, first aid efforts onboard were unsuccessful, leading the cockpit crew to make the decision to divert the flight to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York. Sadly, Captain Pehlivan passed away before the emergency landing.
The flight, an Airbus A350, landed safely at JFK about eight hours after departing Seattle, and arrangements were made to continue the passengers’ journey to Istanbul. Captain Pehlivan had been with Turkish Airlines since 2007, and had passed a routine health check in March without any issues.
The Turkish Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (TATCA) paid tribute to the late captain, honoring his years of service to the aviation community and extending condolences to his family and colleagues.
Pilots over 40 must undergo medical examinations every six months to ensure they are fit for duty. This incident brings to mind a similar case in 2015 when an American Airlines pilot died mid-flight, also resulting in an emergency landing.
While advances in aviation technology are exploring the possibility of single-pilot operations during certain phases of flight, concerns have been raised by pilot associations about the potential safety risks this could pose, especially in cases of sudden pilot incapacitation.
