### Turkish Airlines Pilot Passes Away During Flight from Seattle to Istanbul

A Turkish Airlines pilot tragically passed away mid-flight on a journey from Seattle, USA, to Istanbul, Turkey. Captain Ilcehin Pehlivan, aged 59, became gravely ill while the flight was cruising, forcing the second pilot and co-pilot to take over the aircraft's controls, according to a statement on X by an airline representative.

Despite initial first aid efforts by the crew, Captain Pehlivan's condition worsened. "When first aid to our captain on the plane was unsuccessful, the cockpit crew decided to make an emergency landing, but he died before landing," explained Yahya Ustun, a spokesman for the airline.

The Airbus A350 was diverted to John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, arriving approximately eight hours after its departure from Seattle. Passengers were later re-routed to Turkey from there. The flight, designated as TK204, had taken off shortly after 19:00 Pacific Time on Tuesday evening. The distress occurred over Canada’s Nunavut territory.

Captain Pehlivan was a veteran pilot with Turkish Airlines, having flown with the company since 2007. The airline noted that he had undergone his regular medical check-up in early March, which did not reveal any health issues that could affect his ability to perform his duties.

In response to his death, Turkey's air traffic controllers' association, TATCA, offered condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. Captain Pehlivan was recognized for his many years of service to the aviation community.

The exact cause of Captain Pehlivan’s death has yet to be announced. Pilots typically undergo medical examinations annually, though those over 40 are required to renew their medical certificates every six months.

This incident echoes a similar situation in 2015 when a 57-year-old American Airlines pilot collapsed and died during a flight from Phoenix to Boston. The first officer managed to safely land the aircraft in Syracuse.

Current aviation regulations mandate that two pilots must be present in the cockpit at all times on large commercial planes. Although there are initiatives in the European Union exploring technology that could allow single-pilot operations during cruising altitude, such proposals have met resistance from various pilot groups who argue that reducing the crew size could compromise onboard safety.