In a tragic incident that occurred in Toronto last month, a Delta Air Lines aircraft flipped over and ignited while trying to land. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) released a preliminary report revealing that the plane’s alert system detected an alarming rate of descent less than three seconds prior to landing on February 17. This crash landing led to the hospitalization of 21 individuals, though remarkably, all 76 passengers and four crew members survived the incident.
The TSB report details that the ground proximity warning system of the aircraft activated 2.6 seconds before touchdown. At that time, the plane’s airspeed was approximately 136 knots, equivalent to about 250 kph (155 mph). As the plane landed, the landing gear retracted inadvertently, and the wing separated from the fuselage. This caused a release of jet fuel, which subsequently ignited as the aircraft skid along the runway.
The atrocious event resulted in the fuselage inverting, and a substantial section of the tail detached in the process. TSB Chair Yoan Marier stated in a video communication that such accidents rarely derive from a singular cause but are often the culmination of various complex, interconnected factors that may involve broad systemic issues beyond the aircraft’s immediate operation.
Initial reports indicate that the crew and passengers commenced evacuation as soon as the aircraft came to a halt. However, some passengers sustained injuries when they unbuckled their seatbelts, leading them to fall against the ceiling of the upside-down plane. The TSB has noted no apparent issues with seatbelts or seats during the crash.
During the evacuation, the cockpit door became jammed, necessitating the pilots to escape through the cockpit’s emergency hatch after all others had vacated the plane. Emergency response teams entered the damaged fuselage, with an explosion occurring shortly thereafter near the left wing root. The cause of this explosion remains undetermined.
Thus far, the investigation has not revealed any pre-existing malfunctions with the flight controls, although some components sustained damage in the crash. The ongoing investigation by the safety board is delving into several critical areas, including examining the wing structure metallurgically, assessing landing techniques, evaluating pilot training, and reviewing the passenger evacuation protocols.
All hospitalized individuals were discharged within days following the crash. In response, at least two legal actions have been initiated in the United States, and a Canadian law firm has been engaged by several passengers seeking legal representation.
Delta Air Lines has refrained from commenting on the preliminary findings. The airline states, “We remain fully engaged as participants in the investigation led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Out of respect for the integrity of this work that will continue through their final report, Endeavor Air and Delta will refrain from comment.” The airline thus affirms its commitment to collaborating with the investigation to uncover the multifaceted factors leading to this catastrophic event.