A transatlantic Turkish Airlines flight, originating from Seattle, Washington and bound for Istanbul, Turkey was compelled to make an unscheduled landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. The emergency landing occurred after the tragic in-flight death of the pilot, Captain İlçehin Pehlivan.
The airline verified the unfortunate incident, which occurred on October 8, 2024, and disclosed that emergency staff greeted the Airbus A350 upon its arrival on the runway. The 59-year-old pilot was at the helm of Flight TK204 that began its journey from Seattle on a Tuesday night when he suffered a medical emergency.
Yahya Üstün, Turkish Airlines’ senior vice president of media relations, stated that “The pilot of our Airbus 350… flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul collapsed during the flight. After an unsuccessful attempt to give first aid, the flight crew… decided to make an emergency landing, but he died before landing.”
As per FlightAware, a firm that tracks flights, the aircraft was over the northern region of Canada when it altered its course south to New York City. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that the flight came to a safe halt around 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Emergency medical services were promptly available, and passengers were subsequently booked on alternative flights to their respective destinations.
The airline’s senior vice president expressed his condolences, stating that Captain Pehlivan’s death was a profound loss for the airline. He offered heartfelt sympathies to his family, colleagues, and those close to him.
Pehlivan had been a part of Turkish Airlines since 2007. His most recent regular health checkup in March revealed no signs of health concerns that could have hindered his ability to fly. The airline confirmed that the captain had cleared all necessary health assessments prior to the incident.
The occurrence of pilots becoming incapacitated during flights is rare but serious. On commercial flights, such incidents are estimated to take place between 0.1 and 0.3 times per million flight hours, often due to cardiovascular problems, gastroenteritis, or hypoxia.
The safety of passengers is generally upheld due to a two-pilot system, enabling the other pilot to assume control if one becomes incapacitated. In a notable case in 2015, an American Airlines pilot died mid-flight, and the co-pilot successfully diverted the plane to Syracuse, New York. A recent FAA report highlights the significance of rigorous medical screenings and recurrent training in mitigating risks, reinforcing that multi-pilot cockpits maintain safety even in the event of one pilot’s incapacitation.
The FAA and local emergency services coordinated with Turkish Airlines to confirm the safety of all passengers and provide necessary accommodations following the diversion. The airline emphasized that its priority was to support the passengers and the family of the late captain during this challenging period.