A TURKISH Airlines jetliner from Seattle to Istanbul was forced to make an emergency landing in New York on Wednesday after the captain passed away during the flight, according to an airline spokesperson.

In a report by CNN, the 59-year-old pilot identified as İlçehin Pehlivan said to have lost consciousness shortly after flight 204 took off from Seattle on Tuesday night, as confirmed by Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Üstün.

Despite attempts at medical intervention, the captain could not be revived, leading the co-pilot to decide on an emergency landing.

The Airbus A350 successfully landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport just before 6 a.m. Wednesday.

Arrangements were being made to assist passengers in continuing their journey from New York.

Pehlivan had been with Turkish Airlines since 2007, and a routine health check conducted in March revealed no issues that would have affected his ability to work, Üstün stated.

The airline spokesperson also extended its condolences to the family, colleagues, and all his loved ones.(CMM)

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• #Turkish Airlines
• #Emergency Landing
• #Pilot Death
• #Airbus A350