Turkish Airlines pilot dies mid-flight

The incident is rare enough to make headlines. A pilot for Turkish Airlines died in flight after collapsing, causing his plane to make an emergency landing in New York on Wednesday, the company announced. The plane, which left Tuesday evening from Seattle, on the west coast of the United States, was destined for Istanbul, Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Üstün told X.

“The captain of our Airbus 350 (…) TK204 plane fainted during the flight. After a vain attempt at first aid, our cockpit (composed of two other pilots, Editor’s note) decided to make an emergency landing, but our captain lost his life before landing,” detailed the spokesperson.

The victim, İlçehin Pehlivan, had worked for Turkish Airlines since 2007. Aged 59, the pilot had successfully passed a periodic medical examination in early March, the Turkish company said.

Two pilots on board minimum

One rule prevails in current global standards: two pilots are required on board. This figure even increases to three for long-haul flights. So that as soon as a pilot finds himself “unable” to fly (which can range from simple food poisoning to more serious illness), his co-pilot can regain control of the plane alone. Automatically, the plane is then in an emergency situation and the alternate pilot is forced to land the aircraft at the nearest suitable location.

Also readDiscomfort, heart attack… What happens in the event of a serious health problem on a plane?

The fact remains that this two-driver rule is currently being discussed. As reported The World at the end of September, the European Cockpit Association, which brings together 40,000 airline pilots from 33 countries, led a campaign with the European Commission and Parliament to oppose a project supported by manufacturers and airlines. The latter are campaigning for the introduction of flights with a single pilot on board.

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