Pilotcenter.net News reports that a tragic incident occurred on a Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle to Istanbul, where the captain passed away mid-flight over Greenland. The crew made a quick decision to divert the aircraft for an emergency landing at New York-JFK Airport, where the captain was later pronounced dead upon arrival.

The distressing event unfolded aboard Turkish Airlines flight TK204, a journey from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Istanbul-Ataturk Airport on October 8, 2024. The flight, operated by one of the airline's Airbus A350-900 airplanes with the registration TC-LGR, took off from Seattle at 19:01 local time for an eleven-hour trip to Istanbul.

Around four hours into the flight, the captain suddenly fell ill, leading to the crew declaring an emergency and diverting the flight to JFK Airport in New York. Despite the efforts of the medical team on board, the captain, identified as Ilcehin Pehlivan, had already passed away by the time the plane landed.

In a statement issued by the airline, it was revealed that the captain, who had worked for Turkish Airlines since 2007 and underwent regular health checks, was only 59 years old. All necessary procedures were followed, including the decision to land in New York, where arrangements were made for the passengers to continue their journey.

The aircraft involved in the incident, only delivered to Turkish Airlines in February 2024, remains grounded in New York as investigations and further arrangements are being made. This particular plane is configured to accommodate 329 passengers in a two-class setup. Flight TK204 typically operates daily, departing from Seattle and arriving in Istanbul the following day.

Our thoughts are with the captain's family and colleagues during this difficult time. Stay tuned to Pilotcenter.net News for more updates and insights on aviation incidents and news.