A Turkish Airlines plane, flying from Seattle to Istanbul, made an emergency landing at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York after its 59-year-old pilot died mid-flight.
Flight 8JK, an Airbus A350-900, landed around 6 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration, after initial medical intervention to help the man who lost consciousness on board proved ineffective. The co-pilot took control of the plane and landed it successfully.
The dead pilot was identified as Elsihin Behlivan. Turkish Airlines He told NBC News They have employed him since 2007, and he last underwent a routine health examination in March when no health issues were found that would affect his duties.
“As Turkish Airlines, we deeply feel the loss of our captain and offer our deepest condolences to his bereaved family, colleagues and all his loved ones,” the airline said. In a statement.
The airline said that arrangements are being made for the return of passengers to Istanbul outside JFK Airport.
The FAA requires two crew members in the cockpit at all times, and the agency requires pilots over the age of 40 to undergo two physical examinations annually.
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In 2015, an American Airlines pilot died after falling ill during an overnight flight from Phoenix to Boston.
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