### Turkish Airlines Captain Dies Mid-Flight, Forcing Emergency Landing at JFK

A Turkish Airlines flight en route from Seattle to Istanbul was forced to make an emergency landing at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport after the sudden death of its 59-year-old captain. The flight, coded 8JK and operating on an Airbus A350-900, had to divert to JFK early in the morning around 6 a.m. following unsuccessful attempts to revive the stricken pilot, identified as Ilcehin Pehlivan. The co-pilot took over the controls and safely landed the aircraft.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the unscheduled landing, detailing initial efforts to assist Captain Pehlivan after he lost consciousness during the flight. Despite prompt medical intervention, the flight crew was unable to save him.

Turkish Airlines confirmed Captain Pehlivan had been with the company since 2007 and had passed a routine health examination in March, which found no issues that could impede his flying duties. In a statement, the airline expressed its profound sorrow and extended condolences to Pehlivan’s family, colleagues, and loved ones.

The airline is currently arranging alternate travel plans for the passengers to continue their journey to Istanbul from JFK.

This incident evokes memories of a similar situation in 2015 when an American Airlines pilot died during an overnight flight from Phoenix to Boston, underscoring the unpredictable nature of such in-flight medical emergencies.