In a surreal twist of fate, what began as a routine journey across the skies turned into a somber and unforgettable flight for passengers aboard Turkish Airlines flight 204. As the jetliner soared over the Atlantic on its way to Istanbul from Seattle, an unforeseen tragedy struck. Captain İlçehin Pehlivan, a veteran of the airline since 2007, fell unconscious mid-flight, and despite medical efforts, the situation quickly escalated. The co-pilot, faced with the gravity of the moment, made the tough decision to divert the plane to New York’s JFK Airport, where it touched down just before dawn. But the emergency landing came too late, as Pehlivan tragically passed before they could reach the ground.
Passengers, shaken yet resilient, were later arranged alternate travel plans, but the day’s events cast a long shadow. Pehlivan’s unexpected passing was especially poignant given that a routine health check just months earlier had shown him in good health. Turkish Airlines, while ensuring logistical arrangements for its passengers, took a moment to honor their fallen captain. “As Turkish Airlines, we deeply feel the loss of our captain,” said spokesperson Yahya Üstün, as the company extended heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the man who had guided so many safely across the skies for years.
(Source: BBC | NBC New York)
