A Turkish Airlines flight from Seattle to Istanbul was forced to make an emergency landing in New York after one of the pilots collapsed mid-flight, the airline confirmed on Wednesday.

The incident occurred shortly after the flight, operating as TK204, departed from Seattle on Tuesday evening. Despite immediate efforts to administer first aid, the 59-year-old pilot passed away before the aircraft could land, according to a statement shared on social media by Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Ustun.

The Airbus A350 was diverted to New York’s JFK Airport by the co-pilot and the remaining flight crew. The pilot, who had been with the airline since 2007, had passed a routine medical examination in March, which revealed no health concerns.

The flight was safely landed, and passengers were accommodated while the situation was handled. Turkish Airlines expressed their condolences to the pilot’s family. An investigation into the incident is expected to follow.