A Turkish Airlines A350 aircraft made an emergency landing when its captain, Ilchekin Pehlivan, felt suddenly unwell and eventually died.

The Turkish Airlines flight had taken off from Seattle, USA, bound for Constantinople.

The airline’s spokesman, Yahya Ustun, announced on social media that after initial medical aid was provided to the pilot, which however did not work, the co-pilot decided to make an emergency landing. Unfortunately, our captain died before landing.

Pehlivan had been working for Turkish Airlines since 2007 and was 59 years old.

On March 8, 2024 he had undergone routine medical examinations at an Aviation Medical Center, which showed no underlying health problem that would have prohibited him from performing his duties.

The flight was diverted to New York and the necessary procedures were made for the passengers to return from there to Turkey.