Turkish Airlines Pilot Dies Mid-Flight, Forces Emergency Landing in New York

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New York,USA: In a tragic incident, Turkish Airlines Captain Ilcehin Pehlivan, 59, collapsed mid-air while flying from Seattle to Istanbul on flight TK204. Despite efforts by the crew to provide first aid, the pilot passed away before an emergency landing could be made at New York's JFK Airport. The flight was diverted after Captain Pehlivan became incapacitated over Canadian airspace, with the co-pilot and second pilot taking control of the Airbus A350.

Turkish Airlines confirmed that Pehlivan had passed a routine health check in March with no signs of any medical issues. The cause of death has not been released. The passengers were later flown to Istanbul following the emergency stop in New York.

Captain Pehlivan, who had been with the airline since 2007, is remembered by Turkey's aviation community for his years of service. His sudden death has reignited discussions about cockpit safety, particularly with ongoing debates around single-pilot operations during flight cruise phases.

This incident echoes a similar case in 2015 when an American Airlines pilot died during a flight from Phoenix to Boston, sparking concerns about the importance of multiple pilots in commercial aviation. 

Safety experts continue to stress the need for a two-pilot system, especially in light of potential health emergencies mid-flight.

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