NEW YORK – A plane was forced to make an emergency landing in New York after the pilot died mid-flight, airline officials said.
Turkish Airlines Flight 8JK took off from Seattle early Wednesday morning and was heading for Istanbul when the captaining pilot lost consciousness, according to Turkish Airlines.
On-board medical help didn’t work, so the flight made an emergency landing at JFK Airport in New York around 6 a.m.
NBC New York reports the 59-year-old pilot, identified as Ilcehin Pehlivan, has been with Turkish Airlines since 2007 and last had a routine health check in March.
Doctors didn’t find any health issues that would affect his work, the report says.
It’s unclear what caused Pehlivan‘s death.
“As Turkish Airlines, we deeply feel the loss of our captain and extend our sincerest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues, and all his loved ones,” the airline said in a statement to NBC New York.
Turkish Airlines said arrangements are being made to get passengers from JFK to Istanbul.
