A Turkish Airlines pilot tragically passed away after becoming ill mid-flight on a journey from Seattle to Istanbul.
Captain Ilcehin Pehlivan, 59, collapsed while flying over Canadian territory, prompting the co-pilot and second pilot to take control of the aircraft, as confirmed by airline spokesman Yahya Ustun on X.
“When first aid to our captain on the plane was unsuccessful, the cockpit crew decided to make an emergency landing, but he died before landing,” Ustun stated.
The Airbus A350 diverted to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, where plans were made to continue the flight to Turkey for the passengers.
Flight TK204 had departed Seattle shortly after 7 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday and landed in New York about eight hours later.
Turkish Airlines reported that Pehlivan had been with the airline since 2007 and had passed a routine health check in early March, which revealed no issues that could impact his flying.
Turkey’s air traffic controllers’ association, TATCA, expressed condolences to Pehlivan’s family, friends, and colleagues, noting his long service to the aviation community.
The cause of the pilot’s death has not yet been disclosed. Pilots are required to undergo medical evaluations annually, and those over 40 must renew their medical certificates every six months.
This incident recalls a similar event in 2015 when a 57-year-old American Airlines pilot died during an overnight flight from Phoenix to Boston. In that case, the first officer successfully executed an emergency landing in Syracuse.
Currently, regulations mandate that two pilots be present in the cockpit of large commercial aircraft at all times.
However, the European Union’s aviation safety agency is exploring technology that would allow a single pilot to operate passenger planes during the cruise phase.
While this could permit other cockpit crew members to rest, safety measures would be essential to address potential incapacitation.
The European Cockpit Association and various pilots’ groups oppose reducing crew numbers, arguing that it poses a safety risk.
Source-BBC
