Turkish Airlines pilot dies mid-flight

                               BREAKING NEWS 

Hearing about this is truly heartbreaking. My family and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones and colleagues.

TURKISH AIRLINES BOEING 737-MAX 8 TC-LCU (MSN 60068)

A Turkish Airlines pilot passed away during a flight from Seattle (SEA/KSEA) to Istanbul (IST/LTFM), necessitating an emergency landing in New York.

Pilot İlçehin Pehlivan, aged 59, became unconscious after the departure of flight TK204 from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport on the United States' west coast shortly after 7pm PDT on Tuesday, according to Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Üstün.

Following initial medical intervention on board, the second pilot and co-pilot decided to proceed with an emergency landing. The Airbus A350-900 was over Canada when it rerouted to John F. Kennedy International Airport, approximately four and a half hours into the journey. The plane landed successfully just before 6am EDT, but sadly, Pehlivan was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Pehlivan had been employed by Turkish Airlines since 2007, and a routine health check in March indicated no issues that would have precluded him from flying, stated Üstün.

"We at Turkish Airlines are profoundly saddened by the loss of our captain and offer our deepest sympathies to his family, colleagues, and all those who cherished him," he expressed.

TATCA, the national air traffic controllers association, remarked that Pehlivan had "dedicated many years to the aviation community" and extended its condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

The exact cause of his death has yet to be disclosed.

Provisions had been made to assist passengers in continuing their journey to their final destination from New York.

Aircraft Information:

Airline: Turkish Airlines

Code: TK/THY

Aircraft: Airbus A350-941

Registration: TC-LGR

Serial Number: 651

Engines: 2 RR Trent XWB

First Flew: 6th February 2024

Age: 8 Months old