A Turkish Airlines pilot died after collapsing during his flight from Seattle to Istanbul, prompting the jetliner to make an emergency landing in New York, an airline spokesperson said.
“The captain pilot of our Airbus 350 … flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul fainted during the flight,” Yahya Üstün wrote in a statement shared on social media early Wednesday morning.
After first aid rendered to 59-year-old Ilcehin Pehlivan proved to be ineffective, the crew of another pilot and a co-pilot decided to make an emergency landing, “but our captain lost his life before landing,” Üstün added.
The plane landed safely at JKF airport just before 6 a.m. after flying for about eight hours, data compiled by FlightAware shows.
Arrangements are being made for passengers to continue their trip to Istanbul from New York, the airline said.
No cause of death has been released.
Pehlivan, who worked for the airline since 2007, underwent a routine medical examination in March, according to Üstün. “No health problem was detected that would prevent him from working,” he said.
“As Turkish Airlines, we deeply feel the loss of our captain and extend our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues, and all his loved ones,” Üstün said.