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Qatar Airways Joins Turkish, Pegasus Airlines and Jet2 Face Massive Emergency Landings Across Turkey: What This New Report Unveils Surprising Truth
A saga of emergency landings to and from Turkey has unfolded since January 2022. The skies above the country and the routes connecting Istanbul, Ankara and coastal resorts have been punctuated by engine failures, health scares, bomb scares and smoke-filled cabins. Each emergency has been handled under intense scrutiny. Passengers have been told to brace as pilots declared emergency codes. Aircraft have been diverted to unfamiliar airports. Families have waited anxiously for news. Regulators have been called to examine flight safety. Through it all, the resilience of crews and passengers has been on display as emergency protocols were followed. This report looks at key incidents up to January 2026.[1][2]
Engine and Mechanical Failures
Mechanical issues were frequent triggers for emergency procedures. In May 2022 an Uzbekistan Airways 787 lost an engine while flying from Tashkent to Istanbul. The flight declared an emergency and diverted to Trabzon, where passengers disembarked safely and officials praised the drills[1]. On May 8 2024 a FedEx Boeing 767 arriving from Paris was forced to land in Istanbul without its nose gear; it touched down on its main wheels, its nose dropping onto the runway as fire crews stood by[3]. A day later a Corendon Airlines 737 burst a front tyre while landing at Alanya‑Gazipaşa. All 190 passengers were evacuated without injury and flights were diverted until the damaged jet was removed[4]. Qatar Airways flight QR243 from Doha encountered engine vibrations near Istanbul on 12 May 2025. A holding pattern was entered, an emergency squawk code was transmitted and the Airbus A320 landed safely after shutting down the troubled engine, forcing the cancellation of the return flight[5]. These events underscored how Turkish airports have become safe havens when engine problems arise.
Medical Emergencies and Human Tragedy
Health crises have led to heart‑rending diversions. On 11 June 2023 Turkish Airlines flight TK3 from Istanbul to New York diverted to Budapest when an eleven‑year‑old passenger fell gravely ill. Medics boarded after the Airbus A330 landed, but the child passed away despite efforts to save him[2]. Two hours later the flight continued. On 30 June 2024 an El Al Boeing 737 flying from Warsaw to Tel Aviv diverted to Antalya after a passenger suffered a medical emergency. The passenger was treated and disembarked. Political tensions flared when local ground staff refused to refuel the Israeli jet, forcing it to fly to Rhodes for fuel before heading home[6]. These stories highlight how emergency health incidents can intertwine with diplomatic sensitivities and personal grief.
Bomb Threats and Security Alerts
Security scares have created dramatic scenes. On 7 December 2022 a Pegasus Airlines flight from Casablanca to Istanbul made an emergency landing at Barcelona after a passenger claimed to be in labour. Officials later alleged that the woman faked the medical event to trigger a diversion, allowing 28 passengers to flee across the tarmac. Fourteen were detained and several were deported[7]. The flight resumed after checks. In September 2024 Vistara flight UK 27 from Mumbai to Frankfurt diverted to Erzurum when a note declaring a bomb was found in the lavatory. All 247 occupants were evacuated, thorough searches were conducted and no device was found[8]. The scare emphasised how the mere mention of a bomb triggers an emergency. On 15 January 2026 Turkish Airlines flight TK1853 from Istanbul to Barcelona was escorted by French and Spanish fighter jets after crew discovered a Wi‑Fi hotspot name that included a bomb threat. The Airbus A321 circled over the Mediterranean, landed in Barcelona and passengers were taken off while police combed the jet[9]. No explosives were found, but the incident exemplified the modern digital twist to security emergencies.
Smoke and Fire Incidents
Smoke in the cabin has repeatedly forced emergency responses. On 3 May 2025 Jet2 flight LS1209 from Birmingham to Dalaman declared an emergency after pilots detected smoke in the cockpit. The Boeing 737‑800 squawked the 7700 distress code and diverted to Luxembourg. Passengers disembarked onto the taxiway and the aircraft was later towed for inspection[10]. Less than six weeks later an easyJet flight from Paphos to Bristol reported a smell of smoke and diverted to Izmir, where passengers were accommodated and flown home on another aircraft[11]. Shortly afterwards a Turkish Airlines domestic flight heading to Antalya was evacuated on the taxiway when smoke appeared near the landing gear; emergency crews responded swiftly and nobody was hurt[12]. On 24 November 2024 a Sukhoi Superjet 100 operated by Russia’s Azimuth Airlines caught fire after a rough landing in Antalya. All 89 passengers and six crew used slides to evacuate, and investigators launched a probe[13]. These cases demonstrate how quickly smoke or fire can turn a routine flight into an emergency scenario.
Landing Gear and Structural Failures
Structural failures have produced frightening scenes. The FedEx and Corendon incidents have been noted, but other cases show the importance of robust landing gear. In May 2025 a FedEx freighter landed on its back wheels after the nose gear failed to deploy, sparking images of sparks and smoke on the runway[3]. Emergency services lined the runway and investigators examined the mechanism. The Corendon tyre burst a day later forced a regional airport to close temporarily and divert flights[4]. These close calls illustrate how the integrity of landing gear can dictate whether a routine arrival becomes an emergency landing.
Pilot Emergencies
Crew health can be just as critical as mechanical reliability. On 9 October 2024 a Turkish Airlines Airbus A350‑900 operating from Seattle to Istanbul made an emergency landing at New York’s John F Kennedy airport after its 59‑year‑old captain collapsed and died mid‑flight. The co‑pilot took control and landed around 6 a.m., and arrangements were made to continue the journey[14]. The airline expressed condolences and stressed that the captain had passed a health check earlier that year. This tragic emergency highlighted the importance of redundant crew and medical examinations.
Crashes and the Limits of Rescue
Not every emergency ends with safe landings. On 23 December 2025 a private Dassault Falcon 50 carrying Libya’s army chief of staff and seven others requested an emergency landing after reporting an electrical fault shortly after departing Ankara. Contact was lost during the descent and the aircraft crashed near the town of Haymana, killing all on board[15]. Black boxes were recovered for investigation. The tragedy served as a sobering reminder that even experienced crews can face insurmountable challenges.
Patterns and Takeaways
A review of these incidents shows certain patterns. Engine issues, smoke and false alarms have been common triggers. Many flights diverted to airports in Turkey or neighbouring countries; Istanbul and Antalya have hosted several safe emergency arrivals. Medical crises have underscored the human dimension of aviation, while bomb threats illustrate evolving security risks. Through each event, the word emergency has been repeated by controllers and passengers alike, yet the outcomes have largely been positive thanks to skilled crews and well‑practiced procedures. These stories collectively underscore the resilience of aviation and Turkey’s role as a crossroads where emergency preparations are constantly tested and improved.
Category‑wise Overview
| Category | Flights/Carriers | Year & Route | Summary |
| Engine failures & mechanical | Uzbekistan Airways, FedEx, Corendon, Qatar Airways | 2022 – 2025 | Engines failed or tyres burst, leading to diversions to Trabzon, Istanbul, Alanya‑Gazipaşa and Istanbul again[1][3]. |
| Medical emergencies | Turkish Airlines TK3, El Al LY5102 | 2023 – 2024 | A child’s fatal illness forced a diversion to Budapest and an Israeli passenger’s illness triggered a landing in Antalya and refuelling dispute[2][6]. |
| Security and bomb threats | Pegasus Airlines, Vistara, Turkish Airlines TK1853 | 2022 – 2026 | A fake labour claim allowed migrants to flee in Barcelona; bomb threats in 2024 and 2026 led to diversions to Erzurum and Barcelona with fighter‑jet escorts[7][8]. |
| Smoke & fire incidents | Jet2, easyJet, Turkish Airlines domestic, Azimuth Airlines | 2024 – 2025 | Smoke in cockpits or near landing gear caused diversions to Luxembourg, Izmir and evacuations in Antalya[10][11]. |
| Pilot emergency | Turkish Airlines Seattle–Istanbul | 2024 | A captain’s death resulted in an emergency landing at JFK[14]. |
| Crash | Libyan Falcon 50 | 2025 | An attempted emergency landing ended in a fatal crash near Haymana after an electrical fault[15]. |
| Miscellaneous | Jet2 LS1209; Qatar Airways QR243 | 2025 | Additional diversions due to smoke and engine vibrations underscored the unpredictability of flight operations[10]. |
Sources
[1] [12] Turkey’s Aviation Triumphs: Heroic Emergency Landings Across Istanbul, Trabzon, Antalya, Erzurum, and Beyond! – Travel And Tour World
https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/turkeys-aviation-triumphs-heroic-emergency-landings-across-istanbul-trabzon-antalya-erzurum-and-beyond/
[2] Turkish Airlines Istanbul to New York Makes Emergency Landing in Budapest As 11 year Child Died – Aviation A2Z
https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2023/06/11/turkish-airlines-istanbul-to-new-york-makes-emergency-landing-in-budapest-as-11-year-child-died/
[3] Turkey launches probe after Boeing plane lands without front landing gear | Aviation News | Al Jazeera
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/8/turkey-launches-probe-after-boeing-plane-lands-without-front-landing-gear
[4] Passenger plane’s tire bursts on landing in Turkey; no casualties | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/passenger-planes-tire-bursts-landing-turkey-no-casualties-2024-05-09/
[5] Qatar Airways A320 Makes Emergency Landing in Istanbul with Engine Problem
https://aviationsourcenews.com/qatar-airways-a320-makes-emergency-landing-in-istanbul-with-engine-problem/
[6] Workers At Antalya Airport In Turkey Refuse To Refuel EL AL Boeing 737-800 After Medical Emergency Diversion
https://simpleflying.com/workers-antalya-airport-turkey-refuse-refuel-el-al-boeing-737-800-medical-emergency/
[7] Migrants flee plane after forcing emergency landing in Barcelona | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/plane-makes-emergency-landing-barcelona-migrants-board-escape-2022-12-07/
[8] Vistara flight diverts to Turkey after ‘bomb on plane’ message found in toilet | India News – Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/vistara-flight-diverts-to-turkey-after-bomb-on-plane-message-found-in-toilet/articleshow/113133030.cms
[9] Wi-Fi Hotspot Bomb Threat Forces Turkish Airlines Emergency Landing
https://simpleflying.com/wifi-hotspot-bomb-threat-turkish-airlines-emergency-landing/
[10] Incident: Jet2 B738 near Luxembourg on May 3rd 2025, smoke on board
https://avherald.com/h
[11] Paphos to Bristol flight makes emergency landing in Turkey after smoke smell reported | in-cyprus.com
https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/local/paphos-bristol-flight-emergency-landing-turkey-smoke-smell/
[13] Russian-made plane engine catches fire after landing in Turkey’s Antalya | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/russian-made-plane-engine-catches-fire-after-landing-turkeys-antalya-2024-11-24/
[14] Turkish Airlines pilot’s death mid-flight prompts emergency landing in New York | New York | The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/09/turkish-airlines-pilot-death-jfk
[15] Libya army chief of staff killed in jet crash near Ankara after fault reported, Turkish official says | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/turkey-says-electrical-failure-reported-before-libyan-military-jet-crash-2025-12-24/
