International Desk: A pilot of Turkish Airlines fell ill and died during the flight. The plane of Turkish National Airlines was forced to make an emergency landing in New York.

The airlines company reported this information on Wednesday.

Turkish Airlines spokesman Yahya Ustun said on social media X that the plane took off from Seattle on the west coast of the United States on Tuesday evening local time.
The flight was later diverted to New York from where passengers were flown back to Turkey.

"The pilot of our Airbus 350...flight TK204 from Seattle to Istanbul became ill during the flight," the spokesperson wrote. After first aid efforts failed, the other pilot and co-pilot decided to make an emergency landing. But he died before landing."

It is known that the deceased pilot's name is Captain Ilchin Pelivan. He was 59 years old at the time of his death. Worked in Turkish Airlines since 2007. He also passed a health check-up last March, which showed no indication of any physical problems.

In addition, Turkish Airlines spokesman Yahya Ustun expressed condolences on behalf of the company, saying, "We pray for the peace of the soul of our captain and pray for patience and strength for his bereaved family, colleagues and loved ones." Sources: BBC, New York Post, Bloomberg, AFP, Turkey Today