Istanbul, Turkey(Mogadishu24)-urkish Airlines flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul was forced to make an emergency landing in New York after the plane’s captain, İlçehin Pehlivan, fell unconscious mid-flight and later passed away, according to Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Ustun.

The 59-year-old captain had been with the airline since 2007.

Despite immediate medical attention on board, efforts to revive Captain Pehlivan were unsuccessful. The cockpit crew, consisting of one additional captain and a co-pilot, decided to make an emergency landing at New York’s JFK Airport, where the plane safely landed. Passengers’ return to Istanbul is being coordinated from New York.

Turkish Airlines confirmed that Captain Pehlivan had passed a routine medical examination in March 2024, with no health issues detected that would have prevented him from flying.

The airline expressed condolences to his family and colleagues, saying, “We extend our deepest sympathies to the grieving family, friends, and all those who worked with our esteemed captain.”

The sudden death has shocked the aviation community, as investigations into the incident continue.