Friday, March 21, 2025
Delta Air Lines is under intense scrutiny following a crash involving one of its flights at Pearson Airport (YYZ) on February 17. A preliminary investigation has revealed that the aircraft descended at an unusually rapid rate, activating the proximity warning system just three seconds before landing. The subsequent impact caused severe structural damage, resulting in a fire and the plane skidding off the runway.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has launched an in-depth investigation into the crash, which left 21 people injured. The final report is expected to provide clarity on the contributing factors and underlying causes of the incident.
Crash Details of the Delta Pearson Flight
The aircraft involved was a Bombardier CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), operated by Endeavour Air, a regional carrier for Delta Air Lines. The flight, departing from Minneapolis (MSP), was carrying 76 passengers and four crew members. The first officer, with 1,422 flight hours, was piloting the aircraft, while the captain, with 3,570 flight hours, was overseeing the flight.
The approach to Pearson Airport appeared routine until the final descent toward Runway 23. At around 2 PM, gusty winds reaching 35 knots led the crew to adjust their approach speed to 149 knots. Just 2.6 seconds before touchdown, the aircraft’s enhanced ground proximity warning system triggered a “sink rate” alert due to the rapid descent.
Upon landing, the right main landing gear fractured, causing the gear to retract and resulting in damage to the wing root. This caused the wing to detach, spilling jet fuel that ignited on impact. The aircraft skidded off the runway and came to a halt in a snow-covered grassy area.
Impact and Emergency Response
The crash’s violent force left many passengers disoriented, some suspended upside down in their seats. As they unbuckled, additional injuries occurred as passengers fell from their seats. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, within five minutes, and helped evacuate the passengers, securing the site.
Not long after the evacuation, an explosion occurred near the left wing root, though the cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Consequences
The TSB’s investigation is focused on several critical factors, including the structural integrity of the landing gear, the adequacy of the crew’s training, and the techniques employed during the final approach.
In the wake of the crash, multiple lawsuits have been filed against Delta Air Lines and Endeavour Air. Legal documents allege that the flight crew deviated from standard landing procedures and did not respond appropriately to the challenging weather conditions.
Concerns have been raised about the crew’s experience, particularly the captain, who had logged only 3.5 hours of actual flight time in the month before the crash. There are also questions about the decision to pair the first officer with the captain, raising concerns about potential gaps in their training and experience.
Both Delta Air Lines and Endeavour Air have declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, stating they will await the final report before making any public statements.
