After a tragic incident on a recent Turkish Airlines flight, this scenario is at the top of mind for some travelers.
On October 8 , a Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle toIstanbulmade an emergency landing at New York ’s JFK airport after the flight ’s captain collapsed . The pilot , Ilcehin Pehlivan , 59 , could not be revived and died during the flight of steps , accord toa statementreleased by Turkish Airlines . The decision was made by the co-pilot and crew to make an emergency landing place in New York , where passengers were show to other flying .
" As the Turkish Airlines family , we bid God ’s mercy upon our captain and patience to his grieve family , all his colleague and loved ones , " Turkish Airlines Senior Vice President of Media Relations , Yahya Üstün say in a statement onX.
This terrifying and tragical scenario is one that airline pilots have been civilize to respond to . The cockpit crew seemingly followed the standard operating function when something like this happen , though it is anexceptionally rarified occurrence . While pilot are subject to regular wellness screening , Duke Armitage , an airline pilot program and founder ofAviamonde , told Thrillist that pilots have protocols in place if one of the pilots on the flight of stairs becomes ill or otherwise incapacitated .
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“ There are ground protocol for manage situations where a fender becomes incapacitate due to combat injury or sickness , ” Armitage enunciate . “ In such pillowcase , the remaining pilot takes over all flying responsibleness , declare an emergency , and follow standard operating operation to ensure the safety of the aircraft and passengers . This usually involves diverting to the nigh airport for an hand brake landing place . ”
When pilots go through their training , they are specifically learn on how to reply to an event in which their co - pilot is unable to do their duties for any reason . “ Pilots receive steady training on fell with an helpless pilot , ” Armitage said . “ They practice this specific scenario during their repeated simulator training . ”
This practice is a even thing , and is something that will always be addressed during education , according to Armitage . “ I ca n’t recall a time when I did n’t recitation flying with an helpless pilot , ” Armitage continue . Not only will the pilots be train to respond in these site , but the respite of the gang will also be able to tread in and attend where needed . “ There is also crew resourcefulness direction training , which teaches and freshen cognition on how to employ all available resources during emergencies . For representative , a trajectory attendant can be a great rilievo and help by helping to read checklist or check flight tool . ”
The decision to make an emergency landing comes down to the remaining original . “ While they can moot comment from air dealings control and the airline , it ’s ultimately their call , ” Armitage tell . “ Usually , the decisiveness is made as soon as potential after a quick but careful appraisal of flight and weather condition conditions ” .
So , while you ’re very unlikely to ever find yourself in the scenario that passengers on the TK204 flight were in , it is skillful to know that there are numerous protocol in spot to keep everyone safe .
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