Turkish Airlines Pilot dies mid-flight, forces emergency landing in New York

A Turkish Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing in New York after the pilot collapsed mid-flight and later passed away, the airline confirmed on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on flight TK204, which had departed from Seattle on Tuesday evening, en route to Istanbul.

According to the airline’s spokesperson, Yahya Ustun, despite attempts by the crew to administer first aid, the 59-year-old pilot succumbed before the plane could land.

The pilot, who had been with Turkish Airlines since 2007, had recently passed a medical examination in March, with no signs of health concerns reported at the time.