Murat Öztürk

Murat Öztürk (1953 in Konya – 19 May 2013 in Adana) was a Turkish professional aerobatics pilot and former camera operator.

Early life Murat Öztürk was born 1953 in Konya. He worked as a news camera operator at the state-run television channel of Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT). On September 19th, 1976, Murat's father was on board Turkish Airlines Flight 452 when it crashed into a Mountain killing him and everyone else on board. Murat's professional life changed in 1985 when he was sent to Samandıra Airfield, Istanbul for a news footage on ultralight aviation. Afterwards, he took to flying ultralight aircraft, and acquired both pilot and instructor licenses.

Aviator With a friend, Öztürk purchased an agricultural plot on the bank of Lake Büyükçekmece to convert it into an earthen sports airfield for his flight exercises. He soon left his post as a cameraman, and, with the financial support of a businessman, built an asphalt-covered airfield with hangars that became known as Istanbul Hezarfen Airfield, serving general aviation. He then took part at an air show of the Turkish Stars and Solo Türk held on 12 May 2013 at Hezarfen Airfield.

To join an air show at the 2nd International Air Games Festival in Adana, he took off from Istanbul Hezarfen Airfield on 15 May 2013. After a refueling stop at Eskişehir İnönü Airfield he flew to Ankara, where he visited the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Öztürk arrived in Adana on 16 May, flying via Cappadocia in Nevşehir Province. In Adana, he performed a number of aerobatic shows over the city on 18 and 19 May in conjunction with the celebrations of the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.