Safety Warning System Detected Rapid Descent
A preliminary report by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) revealed that a safety warning system had alerted the crew of a Delta Air Lines (DAL.N) regional jet about a rapid descent before it crash-landed and overturned at Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17.
Passengers Injured, But No Fatalities
The aircraft, a CRJ900 jet operated by Delta’s Endeavor Air subsidiary, was carrying 80 people on board during its flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Despite nearly two dozen injuries, there were no fatalities.
Passengers Struggled to Escape
The report highlighted challenges faced by passengers, noting that some had difficulty releasing their seatbelt buckles while inverted. Some injuries occurred as passengers fell to the ceiling upon unbuckling. However, the TSB confirmed there were no failures in seatbelts or seating structures.
Experienced Crew on Board
- Captain: Employed by Endeavor Air since 2007, with 3,570 hours of flight experience.
- First Officer: Logged 1,422 hours of total flight time.
Impact on Airline Industry
Footage of the overturned jet, missing its right wing, circulated widely on social media. The incident adds to a series of recent high-profile air accidents, with some U.S. airline CEOs citing safety concerns as a factor in declining domestic travel demand.
Conclusion
The TSB continues its investigation into the cause of the crash. More findings are expected in the coming months as authorities analyze flight data and cockpit recordings.
