The plane flying from Seattle City in the United States to Istanbul in Turkey had to make an emergency landing because the pilot died as soon as the plane took off. There was panic among the passengers after this incident. An airline spokesperson later said that the pilot was already ill and fainted upon takeoff. After which the co-pilot had to take charge.
Captain Ilsehin Pehlivan, 59, had died in the air, an airline spokesman told XTV. After which the co-pilot took control of the plane. Had to make an emergency landing with the help of the crew. “When the aircraft crew failed to provide first aid to our captain, the cockpit crew decided to make an emergency landing, but he died before landing,” the airline said.
He said that the Airbus A350 plane landed in New York and then a plan was made to take the passengers to Türkiye from there. According to the information received, flight TK204 took off from Seattle around 19:00 on Tuesday evening.
The airline said pilot Ilsehin Pehlivan had been flying with Turkish Airlines since 2007 and had undergone a routine health checkup in early March, which found no such health problems.
Türkiye's air traffic controllers' association, TATCA, said he had served in aviation for many years. We express our condolences to his family, friends and colleagues. The cause of death of the pilot has not been made public yet. Let us tell you that as per airline rules, pilots have to undergo medical examination every 12 months, while pilots above 40 years of age have to renew their medical certificate every six months.
