In a tragic incident, Turkish Airlines flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul made an emergency landing in New York after the captain, İlçehin Pehlivan, passed away during the flight. The 59-year-old pilot fainted mid-air, prompting the co-pilot to take control and land the Airbus 350 safely at JFK Airport. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, Pehlivan could not be saved and was pronounced dead before the plane landed.
Pehlivan, who joined Turkish Airlines in 2007, had undergone a routine health check in March with no issues detected at the Aviation Medical Center authorized by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. His sudden death has left his colleagues, family, and the entire Turkish Airlines community in mourning. Arrangements are underway to transport the passengers back to Istanbul from New York.
The incident highlights the importance of having multiple trained pilots on board, as mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the necessity of regular health screenings, especially for pilots over the age of 40. This tragic event echoes a similar incident in 2015 when an American Airlines pilot died mid-flight. While the cause of Pehlivan's death remains unclear, the aviation community is reminded of the unpredictable nature of health issues and the critical role of emergency protocols in ensuring passenger safety.
