A Turkish Airlines flight en route from Seattle to Istanbul was forced to make an emergency landing in New York after one of the pilots collapsed mid-flight, tragically passing away before the plane could land. The incident occurred late on Tuesday evening, leaving the crew and passengers in shock.
According to Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Ustun, the 59-year-old pilot, who had been employed by the airline since 2007, showed no signs of health issues during a routine medical checkup in March. Despite immediate first aid efforts by the crew, they were unable to revive him.
The flight’s co-pilot and remaining crew made the decision to divert the aircraft to the nearest airport, landing safely at New York’s JFK International Airport. Passengers were informed about the situation, and arrangements were made to ensure their safety and continue their journey.
The unexpected death has raised questions about airline health protocols, though initial reports suggest the pilot had met all health and safety standards required by the aviation industry. An official investigation into the cause of death is underway.
Turkish Airlines expressed their condolences to the pilot’s family and said they are fully cooperating with authorities to investigate the incident further.