A tragic incident occurred involving a Turkish Airlines pilot who died after collapsing in the cockpit during a flight, leading to an emergency landing in New York. The Airbus A350 was operating flight TK204, which had taken off from Seattle on Tuesday evening, en route to Istanbul.
According to Turkish Airlines spokesman Yahya Ustun, the pilot fainted during the flight, and immediate medical assistance was administered. Despite the efforts of the flight crew, which included a co-pilot and an additional pilot, the situation proved fatal. Ustun stated on social media platform X, “The pilot of our Airbus A350 collapsed during the flight. After an unsuccessful attempt to administer first aid, the flight crew decided to make an emergency landing, but he died before reaching the ground.”
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The aircraft diverted to New York, and the airline is now making arrangements for the passengers to continue their journey from there. Ustun expressed condolences to the pilot’s family and colleagues, stating, “As the Turkish Airlines family, we wish God’s mercy on our captain and patience to all his colleagues and loved ones, especially his grieving family.”
The deceased pilot, aged 59, had been with Turkish Airlines since 2007 and had recently passed a routine medical examination at the Aviation Medical Center, certified by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, with no health concerns reported.
