A tragic incident occurred on a Turkish Airlines flight when Captain Ilcehin Pehlivan, 59, collapsed mid-air en route from Seattle to Istanbul.
The airline confirmed that Pehlivan fell ill over the Canadian territory of Nunavut, prompting the second pilot and co-pilot to take control of the Airbus A350, ultimately diverting to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport for an emergency landing.
The flight, designated TK204, departed Seattle shortly after 7:00 PM Pacific Time on Tuesday. As the aircraft cruised over Canada, Pehlivan became incapacitated, and despite immediate first aid efforts from the flight crew, he could not be revived.
Yahya Ustun, a spokesperson for Turkish Airlines, stated that the cockpit crew decided to make an emergency landing after their attempts to assist the captain were unsuccessful. Unfortunately, Pehlivan passed away before the aircraft could touch down.
The Airbus A350 landed safely in New York approximately eight hours after takeoff from Seattle. Arrangements were made to continue the journey for the passengers, ensuring their timely arrival in Turkey.
Pehlivan had been a dedicated pilot with Turkish Airlines since 2007 and had undergone a routine health check in early March, which revealed no issues that could compromise his ability to fly.
The Turkish air traffic controllers’ association, TATCA, expressed condolences, highlighting Pehlivan’s many years of service to the aviation community.
As news of the incident spread, concerns regarding pilot health and safety protocols have emerged. Pilots are required to undergo medical examinations every 12 months, and those over the age of 40 must renew their medical certificates every six months.
However, the specific cause of Pehlivan’s death has not yet been disclosed, leaving questions about the potential underlying health issues that may have contributed to the incident.
This event echoes a previous occurrence in 2015 when a 57-year-old American Airlines pilot collapsed and died during an overnight flight from Phoenix to Boston.
The first officer managed to land the aircraft safely in Syracuse, highlighting the importance of having two pilots in the cockpit at all times.
Currently, regulations mandate that two pilots must be present in the cockpit of large commercial aircraft.
However, discussions are ongoing regarding advancements in aviation technology that could potentially allow a single pilot to manage the flight during cruise phases, enabling other crew members to rest.
The European Union’s aviation safety agency has emphasized the need for stringent safety measures to ensure crew incapacitation is effectively addressed in such scenarios.
Opponents of reducing cockpit crew, including the European Cockpit Association, argue that minimizing crew numbers could compromise safety onboard.
The ongoing debate highlights the delicate balance between advancing technology and maintaining rigorous safety standards in the aviation industry.
As the aviation community mourns the loss of Captain Ilcehin Pehlivan, this incident serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges pilots face and the importance of ongoing health monitoring in ensuring the safety of air travel.