A Turkish Airlines plane flying from Seattle, Washington, to Istanbul, Turkey, had to execute an unexpected touchdown at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York after its pilot, İlçehin Pehlivan, lost consciousness during the flight and later died.
The airline validated the event, which transpired on October 8, 2024. It was reported that emergency teams were on standby as the Airbus A350 landed. Captain Pehlivan, 59, was in command of Flight TK204, which started its journey across the Atlantic from Seattle on Tuesday night before he suffered a medical crisis.
“The pilot of our Airbus 350… flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul collapsed during the flight,” stated Yahya Üstün, Turkish Airlines’ senior vice president of media relations. “After an unsuccessful attempt to give first aid, the flight crew… decided to make an emergency landing, but he died before landing.”
FlightAware, a company that tracks flight paths, observed that the plane was over northern Canada when it diverted its course towards New York City. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the flight safely landed around 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Emergency medical services were instantly available, and passengers were subsequently placed on alternate flights to their final destinations.
Üstün offered his condolences on behalf of Turkish Airlines, stating the company deeply mourns the loss of Captain Pehlivan. He also extended heartfelt sympathies to his family, colleagues, and all who knew him.
Having joined Turkish Airlines in 2007, Captain Pehlivan had shown no signs of health complications that might impact his ability to fly during his most recent medical exam in March. The airline confirmed that he had cleared all necessary health evaluations prior to the incident.
In-flight pilot incapacitation is an uncommon but grave event. On commercial flights, such cases are estimated to happen between 0.1 and 0.3 per million flight hours, often due to cardiovascular problems, gastroenteritis, or hypoxia.
The two-pilot system typically ensures passenger safety as the remaining pilot can take over the controls in case of an emergency. For instance, in 2015, an American Airlines pilot died during a flight, and the co-pilot successfully redirected the plane to Syracuse, New York. A recent FAA report emphasized the importance of rigorous medical screenings and ongoing training to reduce risks, highlighting that multi-pilot cockpits help maintain safety even if one pilot becomes incapacitated.
The FAA collaborated with local emergency services and Turkish Airlines to ensure the safety of all passengers and make necessary arrangements following the unplanned landing. Turkish Airlines reiterated its commitment to support the passengers and the deceased captain’s family during this challenging time.
