Turkish Airlines pilot dies mid-flight

An emergency landing was made at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport after a Turkish Airlines pilot died mid-flight while operating a passenger jet from Istanbul to New York.
The pilot, 59-year-old Captain Ilcehin Pehlivan, collapsed mid-air and a second pilot and co-pilot took over the controls, an airline spokesman said.
"When the aircraft was approximately 300 nautical miles (345 miles, 555 kilometers) southeast of Halifax, Canada, Captain Pehlivan became unwell," the airline said in a statement. "Despite all efforts in resuscitating him during the flight, he sadly passed away."
The plane, an Airbus A350, landed safely at JFK at 10:30 p.m. local time Tuesday.
There were 293 passengers and 12 crew members on board the flight, the airline said.
The airline said Pehlivan had been working for Turkish Airlines since 2009 and had a good health record.
The cause of death is not yet known, but an investigation is underway.
The incident is a reminder of the risks that pilots face while flying. Pilots are responsible for the safety of hundreds of passengers, and they must be able to make quick decisions in the event of an emergency.
The death of a pilot mid-flight is a rare occurrence, but it is a tragedy for the pilot's family and friends, as well as for the airline and the passengers who were on board the flight.