Turkish Airlines pilot dies mid-flight, prompting emergency JFK landing

A Turkish Airlines aviator died aft collapsing during his formation from Seattle to Istanbul, prompting the jetliner to make an exigency landing successful New York, an hose spokesperson said.

“The skipper aviator of our Airbus 350 … formation TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul fainted during the flight,” Yahya Üstün wrote successful a connection shared connected societal media aboriginal Wednesday morning.

After archetypal assistance rendered to 59-year-old Ilcehin Pehlivan proved to beryllium ineffective, the unit of different aviator and a co-pilot decided to marque an exigency landing, “but our skipper mislaid his beingness earlier landing,” Üstün added.

The level landed safely astatine JKF airdrome conscionable earlier 6 a.m. aft flying for astir 8 hours, information compiled by FlightAware shows.

Arrangements are being made for passengers to proceed their travel to Istanbul from New York, the hose said.

No origin of decease has been released.

Pehlivan, who worked for the hose since 2007, underwent a regular aesculapian introspection successful March, according to Üstün. “No wellness occupation was detected that would forestall him from working,” helium said.

“As Turkish Airlines, we deeply consciousness the nonaccomplishment of our captain and widen our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues, and each his loved ones,” Üstün said.

With News Wire Services