A Delta Air Lines aircraft’s recent incident in Toronto, which involved it catching fire upon landing and subsequently flipping over, left many questioning the survival of those onboard. However, aviation experts are not surprised that all 76 passengers and four crew members managed to escape with only 21 people sustaining minor injuries. They attribute this outcome to significant strides in aircraft design and the well-executed evacuation procedures by the flight crew.
Michael McCormick, an assistant professor and program coordinator in air traffic management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, expressed his astonishment upon seeing footage of the aircraft overturned at the airport. He couldn’t comprehend how such an event could transpire without fatalities, stating, “It was absolutely astounding to watch the people actually climbing out.” Experts like McCormick highlighted that the limited injuries were a testament to the evolution and enhancement of passenger jet safety features over the years.
One advancement mentioned is the design of fuel tanks, which are now located in the wings. This structure is intended to prevent catastrophic explosions, as the wings are designed to detach in a crash. Additionally, the aircraft’s vertical stabilizer is engineered to be frangible, which allows the plane to remain flat on the ground even when overturned, facilitating an efficient evacuation process. “Aviation remains the safest form of transportation,” McCormick noted, emphasizing the overall continuous improvement in aviation safety standards.
Jeff Guzzetti, a former investigator for the Federal Aviation Administration, also reinforced the notion that seat design plays a crucial role in preventing severe injuries. He pointed out that passenger seats are constructed to endure forces of up to 16 times gravity, along with seat belts that safely restrained passengers during the incident as the aircraft came to a halt. “The odds of getting injured or killed in a commercial airline accident are significantly lower than in a car crash,” Guzzetti remarked.
Beyond the aircraft’s design, the crew received commendations for their handling of the situation, efficiently guiding passengers to safety even before emergency personnel arrived. Deborah Flint, the CEO of Greater Toronto Airports Authority, referred to the flight attendants as “heroes,” while Delta’s CEO, Ed Bastian, described their actions as a reflection of the embedded safety measures in the airline’s system. “Air travel in the United States is the safest form of transportation,” he asserted, corroborating the extensive training the crews undergo for such crises.
Delta Flight 4819, which was en route from Minneapolis to Toronto and operated by Endeavor Air, crashed during its landing around 2:30 p.m. on a recent Monday. Footage captured the aircraft making hard contact with the runway, erupting in flames before skidding and flipping. Passenger Peter Carlson, attending a paramedics conference, recounted his experience: “One moment everything was normal, then suddenly it all went sideways, and I found myself upside down, still strapped in.” Other videos depicted passengers escaping from the overturned cabin with the aid of emergency personnel as they moved towards safety on the snowy ground.
In the aftermath, some passengers who experienced injuries due to the incident have sought legal representation from Rochon Genova law firm. Vincent Genova, leading the firm’s Aviation Litigation Group, confirmed that their clients faced serious personal injuries that necessitated medical attention and expressed hope for just resolutions for all affected individuals.
While preliminary investigations have commenced, a Canadian investigator declined to speculate on the accident’s cause at this time. Aviation experts suggest that considerations may encompass weather conditions alongside potential human error or mechanical failures. “It’s far too early to determine the reason for this incident,” stated Ken Webster, a senior investigator for the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, while emphasizing ongoing examination of the wreckage and data recorders to establish clearer insights.
