Pilot Dies During Istanbul Flight

The pilot of Turkish Airlines has died during the Seattle-Istanbul flight, prompting an emergency landing in New York. This was reported by the airline's representative, Yahya Ustyun.

“Ilchekhin Pehlivan, the pilot of our Airbus A350 model TC-LGR, who was operating flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul, lost consciousness during the flight. When initial medical intervention did not yield results, the aircraft crew decided to make an emergency landing, but our captain died before landing,” Ustyun wrote on the X social media platform.

It was reported that Pehlivan was 59 years old. “He underwent regular health check-ups at an aviation medical center authorized by the Civil Aviation Authority and was found to have no health issues that would prevent him from performing his duties. Our aircraft decided to land in New York,” the representative stated.