Delta plane crashes, overturns in Toronto; all survive, officials say
A Delta flight crashed upon arrival at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday and the plane was seen upside-down on the snow-covered ground.
Delta flight crashes at Toronto airport, all expected to survive
- Thread starter TheShadow
- Start date
Not to often you see a plane that size end up upside down on landing and everyone "walks" away from it.
Survivor describes Toronto plane crash
Survivor John Nelson describes what he saw while onboard the Delta flight that crashed at Canada’s Toronto Pearson International Airport. #CNN #Toronto
youtube.com
Wow. Hard landing.
Survivor describes Toronto plane crash
Survivor John Nelson describes what he saw while onboard the Delta flight that crashed at Canada’s Toronto Pearson International Airport. #CNN #Toronto
Wow. Hard landing.
Delta reportedly offering Pearson plane crash passengers $30,000 US each
Author of the article
ostmedia News
Published Feb 19, 2025 • 1 minute read
Delta Air Lines is reportedly offering passengers on the flight that crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport $30,000 US each.
News outlets including the Toronto Star and Minnesota Star Tribune reported that the U.S. airliner has made the offer.
According to the reports, company spokesperson Morgan Durrant confirmed that the Delta care team was telling affected customers that the offer “has no strings attached and does not affect rights.”
Delta Flight 4819 from Minneapolis, Minn., to Toronto crashed upon landing Monday at about 2:30 p.m. at the Toronto airport.
Officials said there were 80 people on the plane, including 76 passengers and four crew members. All of them survived.
Delta said that as of Wednesday morning, 20 out of 21 passengers initially taken to hospitals had been released.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
torontosun.com
Author of the article
ostmedia NewsPublished Feb 19, 2025 • 1 minute read
Delta Air Lines is reportedly offering passengers on the flight that crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport $30,000 US each.
News outlets including the Toronto Star and Minnesota Star Tribune reported that the U.S. airliner has made the offer.
According to the reports, company spokesperson Morgan Durrant confirmed that the Delta care team was telling affected customers that the offer “has no strings attached and does not affect rights.”
Delta Flight 4819 from Minneapolis, Minn., to Toronto crashed upon landing Monday at about 2:30 p.m. at the Toronto airport.
Officials said there were 80 people on the plane, including 76 passengers and four crew members. All of them survived.
Delta said that as of Wednesday morning, 20 out of 21 passengers initially taken to hospitals had been released.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Delta reportedly offering Pearson plane crash passengers $30,000 US each
Delta Air Lines is reportedly offering passengers on the flight that crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport $30,000 US each.
Dont take the money! Its quashes any long-term liabilities.Delta reportedly offering Pearson plane crash passengers $30,000 US each
Author of the article
Published Feb 19, 2025 • 1 minute read
Delta Air Lines is reportedly offering passengers on the flight that crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport $30,000 US each.
News outlets including the Toronto Star and Minnesota Star Tribune reported that the U.S. airliner has made the offer.
According to the reports, company spokesperson Morgan Durrant confirmed that the Delta care team was telling affected customers that the offer “has no strings attached and does not affect rights.”
Delta Flight 4819 from Minneapolis, Minn., to Toronto crashed upon landing Monday at about 2:30 p.m. at the Toronto airport.
Officials said there were 80 people on the plane, including 76 passengers and four crew members. All of them survived.
Delta said that as of Wednesday morning, 20 out of 21 passengers initially taken to hospitals had been released.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Delta reportedly offering Pearson plane crash passengers $30,000 US each
Delta Air Lines is reportedly offering passengers on the flight that crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport $30,000 US each.
Two passengers file lawsuits after Delta plane crash in Toronto
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Published Feb 21, 2025 • Last updated 23 hours ago • 2 minute read
Two people who were on a plane that crash landed at Toronto’s Pearson airport on Monday are suing Delta Air Lines and its subsidiary Endeavor Air.
The lawsuits were filed separately in U.S. District Court in Georgia and Minnesota and allege negligence.
The Georgia lawsuit, filed Thursday on behalf of Marthinus Lourens of Texas, alleges he was drenched with jet fuel as the plane rolled upside down, and that he suffered significant injuries and emotional distress.
DJC Law said in a news release that lawsuit alleges the defendants were negligent in the operation, maintenance and management of the flight, which it alleges directly contributed to the crash.
It said the lawsuit is demanding a jury trial and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
The complaint says that under the Montreal Convention, which requires airlines to pay damages when passengers are hurt or killed, the defendants are liable to Lourens for provable damages of up to roughly US$200,000, along with additional damages due to alleged negligence.
“DJC Law is committed to ensuring full accountability and justice for Mr. Lourens as he seeks compensation for his suffering and losses,” lawyer Andres Pereira said in a statement.
The other complaint, which also lists Delta and Endeavor as defendants, alleges Hannah Krebs of Minneapolis suffered extreme bodily and mental injuries and economic losses because of Monday’s crash.
Motley Rice LLC, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of Krebs on Friday, said in a news release that it was seeking compensation including damages for physical and emotional injuries. The lawsuit does not specify an amount.
The lawsuit alleges Delta and Endeavor were negligent, the flight crew failed to adhere to standard landing procedures, and inadequate training and supervision contributed to the crash.
“As a former U.S. air force navigator, I understand the challenges that flight crews often face in the moment, but adhering to established protocols is critically important to ensure passenger safety,” lawyer Jim Brauchle, who represents Krebs, said in a statement.
“This suit seeks to hold Delta and Endeavor Air accountable for actions we believe led to a preventable catastrophic event.”
None of the allegations in the lawsuits have been tested in court.
A spokesperson for Delta said it was declining to comment on pending litigation.
Delta has offered US$30,000 in compensation to passengers who were on the plane, saying the money “has no strings attached and does not affect rights.”
On Monday afternoon, a Delta plane hit the tarmac and then tipped over, creating a fireball as its wing scraped along the ground before it rolled over and came to a stop in a cloud of smoke.
All 76 passengers and four crew members survived Monday afternoon’s crash landing, though 21 were taken to local hospitals to be treated for injuries. All have since been released.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada continues to investigate the crash.
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Published Feb 21, 2025 • Last updated 23 hours ago • 2 minute read
Two people who were on a plane that crash landed at Toronto’s Pearson airport on Monday are suing Delta Air Lines and its subsidiary Endeavor Air.
The lawsuits were filed separately in U.S. District Court in Georgia and Minnesota and allege negligence.
The Georgia lawsuit, filed Thursday on behalf of Marthinus Lourens of Texas, alleges he was drenched with jet fuel as the plane rolled upside down, and that he suffered significant injuries and emotional distress.
DJC Law said in a news release that lawsuit alleges the defendants were negligent in the operation, maintenance and management of the flight, which it alleges directly contributed to the crash.
It said the lawsuit is demanding a jury trial and seeks compensatory and punitive damages.
The complaint says that under the Montreal Convention, which requires airlines to pay damages when passengers are hurt or killed, the defendants are liable to Lourens for provable damages of up to roughly US$200,000, along with additional damages due to alleged negligence.
“DJC Law is committed to ensuring full accountability and justice for Mr. Lourens as he seeks compensation for his suffering and losses,” lawyer Andres Pereira said in a statement.
The other complaint, which also lists Delta and Endeavor as defendants, alleges Hannah Krebs of Minneapolis suffered extreme bodily and mental injuries and economic losses because of Monday’s crash.
Motley Rice LLC, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of Krebs on Friday, said in a news release that it was seeking compensation including damages for physical and emotional injuries. The lawsuit does not specify an amount.
The lawsuit alleges Delta and Endeavor were negligent, the flight crew failed to adhere to standard landing procedures, and inadequate training and supervision contributed to the crash.
“As a former U.S. air force navigator, I understand the challenges that flight crews often face in the moment, but adhering to established protocols is critically important to ensure passenger safety,” lawyer Jim Brauchle, who represents Krebs, said in a statement.
“This suit seeks to hold Delta and Endeavor Air accountable for actions we believe led to a preventable catastrophic event.”
None of the allegations in the lawsuits have been tested in court.
A spokesperson for Delta said it was declining to comment on pending litigation.
Delta has offered US$30,000 in compensation to passengers who were on the plane, saying the money “has no strings attached and does not affect rights.”
On Monday afternoon, a Delta plane hit the tarmac and then tipped over, creating a fireball as its wing scraped along the ground before it rolled over and came to a stop in a cloud of smoke.
All 76 passengers and four crew members survived Monday afternoon’s crash landing, though 21 were taken to local hospitals to be treated for injuries. All have since been released.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada continues to investigate the crash.
Two passengers file lawsuits after Delta plane crash in Toronto
Two people who were on a plane that crash landed at Toronto's Pearson airport are suing Delta Air Lines and its subsidiary Endeavor Air.
Experts say early report suggests Delta plane descended too fast
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Paola Loriggio
Published Mar 20, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 5 minute read
Aviation experts say a preliminary report into a plane crash at Toronto’s Pearson airport suggests the aircraft came down at a high speed and touched down hard enough to break its landing gear.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada released its report Thursday as it continues to investigate the Feb. 17 Delta Air Lines crash landing that sent 21 people to hospital, noting that it’s too early to draw any conclusions.
Some aviation analysts, however, say the data included in the report show the plane approached the runway at a higher speed than normal.
A normal rate of descent would be about 100-200 feet per minute for a smooth landing, while 300-400 feet per minute would result in a firm landing and 600 feet per minute a “very firm” landing noticeable by the crew and passengers, said Kit Darby, a U.S.-based aviation consultant with more than 20,000 hours of flight experience.
The report indicates the plane touched down at roughly 1,100 feet per minute, or “a really hard landing,” he said.
“It would appear that hard landing was hard enough to break the airplane,” said Darby, a veteran aviator and flight instructor of commercial passenger jets.
“It broke one of the supporting links to the landing gear and the landing gear folded,” he said. The plane then went down on the wing on that same side, which broke off, he said.
“The reason that it was so survivable is that we had a long, smooth runway in front of us … the airplane was not stopped from sliding to a stop, a relatively lengthy deceleration not causing any threat to the passengers or the crew.”
All 76 passengers and four crew members survived when the plane arriving from Minneapolis burst into flames after flipping over and skidding on the tarmac. All of those who were hospitalized were released within days of the crash.
The TSB report says the aircraft got a boost of speed as it was descending, likely due to a wind gust. That prompted the co-pilot, who was flying the plane, to pull back on power, which made it start to slow down, the report says.
“When the aircraft was at about a height of 50 feet and below was when things started to happen,” Ken Webster, the TSB’s lead investigator in the case, said in an interview Thursday.
The aircraft’s rate of descent had increased and the ground proximity warning system issued an alert about it less than three seconds before touchdown, he said.
The report says the plane’s landing gear folded into the retracted position at touchdown and the wing detached from the fuselage, releasing a cloud of jet fuel, which caught fire as the plane slid along the runway.
The fuselage rolled upside down and a large portion of the tail came off in the process, the document says.
The crew and passengers started evacuating once the plane came to a stop, the report says, adding that some of the passengers were injured when they unbuckled their seatbelts and fell to the ceiling.
The TSB says it’s not aware of any issues with the seatbelts or seats during the incident.
The cockpit door was jammed shut, forcing pilots to escape through the emergency hatch on the ceiling of the cockpit after everyone else was out, the report says.
Emergency response personnel then went into the fuselage, and there was an explosion outside the plane near the left wing root shortly afterward, the TSB says. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined.
So far, the investigation has found no pre-existing problems with the flight controls, though some components were damaged in the crash, the safety board says.
“Preliminary data from the flight data recorder did not contain any caution or warning messages pertaining to the flight controls, but further analysis will be conducted as we continue some of the areas we will be focusing on,” the agency says in a video.
The TSB says its ongoing investigation is focusing on several key areas, including metallurgical examination of the wing structure, landing techniques, pilot training and the passenger evacuation process.
While the preliminary report lays out some initial facts, it doesn’t explain why things played out the way they did, Webster said.
“We have lots of work to do yet,” he said.
“In the coming months, we’ll work on things like explaining why all this happened, why did the aircraft touch down hard, and why did all these components break and those sorts of things.”
Darby, the aviation consultant, said proper landing technique is to start with the nose of the plane up to break the descent, then reduce the power, but it appears based on the report that the power was already decreased before bringing the nose up.
“As an instructor, that would pretty much guarantee a firm landing,” he said.
Snow on the ground could also make it difficult to gauge the height of the runway because it decreases the contrast, he said. Meanwhile, crosswinds make control difficult and the wind gust “makes it even worse,” he said.
“I’m not sure I would have had the co-pilot flying the plane under those circumstances … it might have been more prudent for the captain to be flying,” he said.
He noted the pilot had relatively low experience despite meeting minimum requirements, with fewer than 4,000 hours of flying time over more than 15 years at the airline.
Joseph, a veteran aviator in the United States Marine Corps, said human factors will likely be a key focus of the investigation, assuming no mechanical issues are detected.“
Certainly, there’s some pilot performance issues that will be examined in depth here as to why a flight crew was not able to safely land the airplane absent any mechanical deficiencies,” he said.
Investigators will need to look at why the pilots may have missed or failed to react to visual cues and the alert regarding the rate of descent, he said.
“Landing in gusty conditions is one thing the pilots are trained to do, it’s not something that’s abnormal.”
Several lawsuits have been filed in the United States since the crash and a law firm in Canada has said that it’s been retained by several passengers.
In one statement of claim filed last week, two Canadian passengers allege the crash left them with extreme and ongoing physical injuries and emotional distress, as well as “economic losses.”
They’re alleging Delta and its subsidiary, Endeavor Air, showed a “gross, wanton, and wilful disregard for the rights and safety of all passengers” on the flight.
The allegations have not been tested in court and no statement of defence has been filed at this time.
Delta said it will refrain from commenting on the TSB’s preliminary report “out of respect for the integrity” of the agency’s ongoing investigation.
“For everyone at Endeavor Air and Delta, nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and our people. That’s why we remain fully engaged as participants in the investigation led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada,” it said in a brief statement on its website.
Delta has previously offered US$30,000 in compensation to passengers who were on the plane, saying the money “has no strings attached and does not affect rights.”
torontosun.com
Author of the article:Canadian Press
Canadian Press
Paola Loriggio
Published Mar 20, 2025 • Last updated 1 day ago • 5 minute read
Aviation experts say a preliminary report into a plane crash at Toronto’s Pearson airport suggests the aircraft came down at a high speed and touched down hard enough to break its landing gear.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada released its report Thursday as it continues to investigate the Feb. 17 Delta Air Lines crash landing that sent 21 people to hospital, noting that it’s too early to draw any conclusions.
Some aviation analysts, however, say the data included in the report show the plane approached the runway at a higher speed than normal.
A normal rate of descent would be about 100-200 feet per minute for a smooth landing, while 300-400 feet per minute would result in a firm landing and 600 feet per minute a “very firm” landing noticeable by the crew and passengers, said Kit Darby, a U.S.-based aviation consultant with more than 20,000 hours of flight experience.
The report indicates the plane touched down at roughly 1,100 feet per minute, or “a really hard landing,” he said.
“It would appear that hard landing was hard enough to break the airplane,” said Darby, a veteran aviator and flight instructor of commercial passenger jets.
“It broke one of the supporting links to the landing gear and the landing gear folded,” he said. The plane then went down on the wing on that same side, which broke off, he said.
“The reason that it was so survivable is that we had a long, smooth runway in front of us … the airplane was not stopped from sliding to a stop, a relatively lengthy deceleration not causing any threat to the passengers or the crew.”
All 76 passengers and four crew members survived when the plane arriving from Minneapolis burst into flames after flipping over and skidding on the tarmac. All of those who were hospitalized were released within days of the crash.
The TSB report says the aircraft got a boost of speed as it was descending, likely due to a wind gust. That prompted the co-pilot, who was flying the plane, to pull back on power, which made it start to slow down, the report says.
“When the aircraft was at about a height of 50 feet and below was when things started to happen,” Ken Webster, the TSB’s lead investigator in the case, said in an interview Thursday.
The aircraft’s rate of descent had increased and the ground proximity warning system issued an alert about it less than three seconds before touchdown, he said.
The report says the plane’s landing gear folded into the retracted position at touchdown and the wing detached from the fuselage, releasing a cloud of jet fuel, which caught fire as the plane slid along the runway.
The fuselage rolled upside down and a large portion of the tail came off in the process, the document says.
The crew and passengers started evacuating once the plane came to a stop, the report says, adding that some of the passengers were injured when they unbuckled their seatbelts and fell to the ceiling.
The TSB says it’s not aware of any issues with the seatbelts or seats during the incident.
The cockpit door was jammed shut, forcing pilots to escape through the emergency hatch on the ceiling of the cockpit after everyone else was out, the report says.
Emergency response personnel then went into the fuselage, and there was an explosion outside the plane near the left wing root shortly afterward, the TSB says. The cause of the explosion has not yet been determined.
So far, the investigation has found no pre-existing problems with the flight controls, though some components were damaged in the crash, the safety board says.
“Preliminary data from the flight data recorder did not contain any caution or warning messages pertaining to the flight controls, but further analysis will be conducted as we continue some of the areas we will be focusing on,” the agency says in a video.
The TSB says its ongoing investigation is focusing on several key areas, including metallurgical examination of the wing structure, landing techniques, pilot training and the passenger evacuation process.
While the preliminary report lays out some initial facts, it doesn’t explain why things played out the way they did, Webster said.
“We have lots of work to do yet,” he said.
“In the coming months, we’ll work on things like explaining why all this happened, why did the aircraft touch down hard, and why did all these components break and those sorts of things.”
Darby, the aviation consultant, said proper landing technique is to start with the nose of the plane up to break the descent, then reduce the power, but it appears based on the report that the power was already decreased before bringing the nose up.
“As an instructor, that would pretty much guarantee a firm landing,” he said.
Snow on the ground could also make it difficult to gauge the height of the runway because it decreases the contrast, he said. Meanwhile, crosswinds make control difficult and the wind gust “makes it even worse,” he said.
“I’m not sure I would have had the co-pilot flying the plane under those circumstances … it might have been more prudent for the captain to be flying,” he said.
He noted the pilot had relatively low experience despite meeting minimum requirements, with fewer than 4,000 hours of flying time over more than 15 years at the airline.
Joseph, a veteran aviator in the United States Marine Corps, said human factors will likely be a key focus of the investigation, assuming no mechanical issues are detected.“
Certainly, there’s some pilot performance issues that will be examined in depth here as to why a flight crew was not able to safely land the airplane absent any mechanical deficiencies,” he said.
Investigators will need to look at why the pilots may have missed or failed to react to visual cues and the alert regarding the rate of descent, he said.
“Landing in gusty conditions is one thing the pilots are trained to do, it’s not something that’s abnormal.”
Several lawsuits have been filed in the United States since the crash and a law firm in Canada has said that it’s been retained by several passengers.
In one statement of claim filed last week, two Canadian passengers allege the crash left them with extreme and ongoing physical injuries and emotional distress, as well as “economic losses.”
They’re alleging Delta and its subsidiary, Endeavor Air, showed a “gross, wanton, and wilful disregard for the rights and safety of all passengers” on the flight.
The allegations have not been tested in court and no statement of defence has been filed at this time.
Delta said it will refrain from commenting on the TSB’s preliminary report “out of respect for the integrity” of the agency’s ongoing investigation.
“For everyone at Endeavor Air and Delta, nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and our people. That’s why we remain fully engaged as participants in the investigation led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada,” it said in a brief statement on its website.
Delta has previously offered US$30,000 in compensation to passengers who were on the plane, saying the money “has no strings attached and does not affect rights.”
Pearson plane crash report: Experts say early report suggests Delta plane descended too fast
Aviation experts say a preliminary report into a plane crash at Toronto’s Pearson airport suggests the aircraft came down at a high speed.
Flight attendant sues Delta for US$75M over upside-down plane crash in Toronto
Vanessa Miles blames 'inexperienced and inadequately trained pilot' and 'a reckless disregard for passenger safety in pursuit of operational efficiency'
Author of the article:Chris Knight
Published Aug 05, 2025 • Last updated 2 days ago • 4 minute read
Emergency crews surround a Delta Air Lines plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.
Emergency crews surround a Delta Air Lines plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Photo by Peter J. Thompson /National Post
An off-duty flight attendant who helped passengers escape and suffered her own injuries during a fiery upside-down crash of a Delta Air Lines flight at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport has filed a US$75-million lawsuit against the airline.
The 15-page suit, filed last week in Michigan by Vanessa Miles, claims: “This accident was caused, at least in part, by Defendants knowingly assigning an inexperienced and inadequately trained pilot to operate the flight, demonstrating a reckless disregard for passenger safety in pursuit of operational efficiency.”
It adds that the airline “cut corners on safety by rushing pilots through training programs.”
It goes on to list of number of alleged failures, including “Failure to ensure proper functioning of critical emergency evacuation equipment; Failure to properly train flight crew on emergency evacuation procedures; Absence of any emergency announcements or guidance during evacuation; Failure to properly maintain the aircraft’s landing gear and related systems; Failure to provide prompt medical assistance following the crash; and Failure to have adequate emergency response procedures in place.”
In response to a query from National Post, Delta noted that the captain was hired in 2007 and “has served both as an active duty Captain and in pilot training and flight safety capacities. Assertions that he failed training events are false. Assertions that he failed to flow into a pilot position at Delta Air Lines due to training failures are also false.”
It added that the first officer was hired last year “and completed training in April 2024. Her flight experience exceeded the minimum requirements set by U.S. Federal regulations. Assertions that she failed training events are false. Both crew members are qualified and FAA certified for their positions.”
It added: “We will decline further comment given this is pending litigation and also because of the ongoing TSB (Transportation Safety Board) of Canada investigation, to which Endeavor Air and Delta remain engaged participants.”
The lawsuit notes that Miles, aged 67, was a passenger on Endeavor Air Flight 4819, operating under the Delta Connection brand, which departed from Minneapolis on Feb. 17 and was scheduled to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Although she was employed by Endeavor as a flight attendant, she was “deadheading” at the time, “meaning she was traveling as a passenger to position herself for future work assignments.”
The crash happened when the Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft bounced and rolled on landing at the Toronto airport, ending up on its roof. A wing was ripped off and a fire broke out. All 80 passengers and crew survived, although more than 20 people were taken to hospital.
The lawsuit says Miles was rendered unconscious while hanging upside down from her seatbelt after the plane came to a stop. When she awoke she “found herself soaked in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke, putting her at grave risk for chemical burns, asphyxiation, and death.”
The suit says she suffered “severe and permanent injuries, including … fractured left shoulder/scapula, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, post-concussion syndrome with headaches, dizziness, and other cognitive difficulties, bilateral knee injuries, back injuries, exposure to jet fuel and toxic fumes, and psychological trauma including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.”
In April, Miles was one of four recipients of the C.B. Lansing Memorial Award, given by the Association of Flight Attendants “to an AFA member who displays heroism beyond the call of duty in aviation.” The award was established in memory of Clarabelle Lansing, a flight attendant who was killed in 1988 when the flight on which she was working suffered an explosive decompression over Hawaii.
The organization notes that the award is “the highest honor a member may bestow upon a fellow member.” It was given to Hollie Gallagher and Rebecca Palazzola, the flight attendants working on the downed aircraft, and to Miles and Alita Parker, “deadheading Endeavor flying partners who assisted.”
Map image of an airplane crash site.
The resting locations of the fuselage, right wing, and tail section, and aircraft marks left in the snow when a Delta Air Lines plane crashed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Feb. 17, 2025. Photo by tsb.gc.ca
A preliminary report by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released in March does not disclose a specific cause for the crash, but it does mention that two additional airline employees who were on the flight as passengers helped evacuate the rear of the cabin.
Madeline Sinkovich, one of Miles’ lawyers, told the Post: “Our complaint alleges that basic safeguards, training, and evacuation procedures failed — and that corporate decisions put cost and schedule ahead of safety. The case proceeds under the Montreal Convention, which holds carriers liable for passenger injuries arising from onboard accidents. Ms. Miles continues to recover from significant injuries; we respect the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s important work and will pursue full accountability in court.”
The final report by the Transportation Safety Board is expected next year. According to the CBC, there are at least 16 additional lawsuits that have been filed by passengers related to the incident.
afacwa.org
torontosun.com
Vanessa Miles blames 'inexperienced and inadequately trained pilot' and 'a reckless disregard for passenger safety in pursuit of operational efficiency'
Author of the article:Chris Knight
Published Aug 05, 2025 • Last updated 2 days ago • 4 minute read
Emergency crews surround a Delta Air Lines plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025.
Emergency crews surround a Delta Air Lines plane crash at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025. Photo by Peter J. Thompson /National Post
An off-duty flight attendant who helped passengers escape and suffered her own injuries during a fiery upside-down crash of a Delta Air Lines flight at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport has filed a US$75-million lawsuit against the airline.
The 15-page suit, filed last week in Michigan by Vanessa Miles, claims: “This accident was caused, at least in part, by Defendants knowingly assigning an inexperienced and inadequately trained pilot to operate the flight, demonstrating a reckless disregard for passenger safety in pursuit of operational efficiency.”
It adds that the airline “cut corners on safety by rushing pilots through training programs.”
It goes on to list of number of alleged failures, including “Failure to ensure proper functioning of critical emergency evacuation equipment; Failure to properly train flight crew on emergency evacuation procedures; Absence of any emergency announcements or guidance during evacuation; Failure to properly maintain the aircraft’s landing gear and related systems; Failure to provide prompt medical assistance following the crash; and Failure to have adequate emergency response procedures in place.”
In response to a query from National Post, Delta noted that the captain was hired in 2007 and “has served both as an active duty Captain and in pilot training and flight safety capacities. Assertions that he failed training events are false. Assertions that he failed to flow into a pilot position at Delta Air Lines due to training failures are also false.”
It added that the first officer was hired last year “and completed training in April 2024. Her flight experience exceeded the minimum requirements set by U.S. Federal regulations. Assertions that she failed training events are false. Both crew members are qualified and FAA certified for their positions.”
It added: “We will decline further comment given this is pending litigation and also because of the ongoing TSB (Transportation Safety Board) of Canada investigation, to which Endeavor Air and Delta remain engaged participants.”
The lawsuit notes that Miles, aged 67, was a passenger on Endeavor Air Flight 4819, operating under the Delta Connection brand, which departed from Minneapolis on Feb. 17 and was scheduled to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport. Although she was employed by Endeavor as a flight attendant, she was “deadheading” at the time, “meaning she was traveling as a passenger to position herself for future work assignments.”
The crash happened when the Bombardier CRJ-900 aircraft bounced and rolled on landing at the Toronto airport, ending up on its roof. A wing was ripped off and a fire broke out. All 80 passengers and crew survived, although more than 20 people were taken to hospital.
The lawsuit says Miles was rendered unconscious while hanging upside down from her seatbelt after the plane came to a stop. When she awoke she “found herself soaked in jet fuel and surrounded by smoke, putting her at grave risk for chemical burns, asphyxiation, and death.”
The suit says she suffered “severe and permanent injuries, including … fractured left shoulder/scapula, traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness, post-concussion syndrome with headaches, dizziness, and other cognitive difficulties, bilateral knee injuries, back injuries, exposure to jet fuel and toxic fumes, and psychological trauma including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.”
In April, Miles was one of four recipients of the C.B. Lansing Memorial Award, given by the Association of Flight Attendants “to an AFA member who displays heroism beyond the call of duty in aviation.” The award was established in memory of Clarabelle Lansing, a flight attendant who was killed in 1988 when the flight on which she was working suffered an explosive decompression over Hawaii.
The organization notes that the award is “the highest honor a member may bestow upon a fellow member.” It was given to Hollie Gallagher and Rebecca Palazzola, the flight attendants working on the downed aircraft, and to Miles and Alita Parker, “deadheading Endeavor flying partners who assisted.”
Map image of an airplane crash site.
The resting locations of the fuselage, right wing, and tail section, and aircraft marks left in the snow when a Delta Air Lines plane crashed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Feb. 17, 2025. Photo by tsb.gc.ca
A preliminary report by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released in March does not disclose a specific cause for the crash, but it does mention that two additional airline employees who were on the flight as passengers helped evacuate the rear of the cabin.
Madeline Sinkovich, one of Miles’ lawyers, told the Post: “Our complaint alleges that basic safeguards, training, and evacuation procedures failed — and that corporate decisions put cost and schedule ahead of safety. The case proceeds under the Montreal Convention, which holds carriers liable for passenger injuries arising from onboard accidents. Ms. Miles continues to recover from significant injuries; we respect the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s important work and will pursue full accountability in court.”
The final report by the Transportation Safety Board is expected next year. According to the CBC, there are at least 16 additional lawsuits that have been filed by passengers related to the incident.
AFA-CWA Honors US Airways 1549 Flight Attendants | Aero-News Network
Three Receive C.B. Lansing Award For Heroism The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) held a ceremony Tuesday honoring the three flight att| Published: Thu, Apr 02, 2009 | Aero-News Network
aero-news.net
52nd AFA Board of Directors Wrapped!
Over the weekend, the AFA Board of Directors met for our union’s 52nd Meeting in Orlando, Florida. AFA Local Executive Council (LEC) Presidents from each of our 20 AFA-represented airlines, Master Executive Council (MEC) Officers, International Officers, members, and guests came together for an...
afacwa.org
Flight attendant sues Delta for US$75M over upside-down plane crash in Toronto
Vanessa Miles blames "inadequately trained pilot" and "a reckless disregard for passenger safety in pursuit of operational efficiency."