Delta Air Lines faces lawsuits after a fiery upside-down crash in Toronto injured 21. Passengers allege negligence as investigations continue.
Passengers File Lawsuits After Dramatic Crash
Delta Air Lines and its subsidiary Endeavor Air are confronting a surge of lawsuits from passengers injured in the February 17 crash of Flight 4819 at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The incident, which left the aircraft overturned and aflame on the runway, has led at least 16 Canadians and several U.S. passengers to seek damages in U.S. federal court, alleging gross negligence and reckless conduct by the airline and its crew.
Incident Unfolds Amid Harsh Winter Weather
The crash occurred at approximately 2:13 p.m. EST as Delta Flight 4819, a Bombardier CRJ-900, attempted to land in blustery post-storm conditions. Winds gusted up to 64 km/h (40 mph) and temperatures hovered around −8.6°C (16.5°F). Upon touchdown, the aircraft struck the runway hard, lost its right wing, flipped onto its roof, and caught fire. Emergency crews responded rapidly as passengers evacuated the overturned jet onto the icy tarmac.
Legal Claims Center on Alleged Negligence
Passengers’ lawsuits, filed primarily in Minnesota, accuse Delta and Endeavor Air of failing to adequately train and supervise crew members, resulting in “gross negligence and recklessness.” Plaintiffs report ongoing physical and psychological injuries, with legal filings suggesting the number of claimants could grow to more than 70. Delta, in court filings, has denied sole responsibility for the crash, indicating that other factors may have contributed.
Investigations Ongoing as Airline Offers Compensation
Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB) released a preliminary report in March, revealing that a warning system alerted the crew to a high rate of descent less than three seconds before landing. The aircraft’s pitch angle was also below recommended levels at touchdown. However, the TSB emphasized that it was too early to draw conclusions about the cause, and a full investigation is underway.
In the aftermath, Delta offered $30,000 USD to each passenger, describing the payment as “no strings attached.” All 80 people on board survived, though 21 required hospitalization for injuries ranging from back sprains to head lacerations. Most were released within four days.
Survivors Recall Chaos and Relief
Eyewitness accounts from passengers describe a harrowing ordeal. Some recalled the aircraft slamming into the runway, flipping, and filling with smoke as they scrambled to evacuate. “The whole descent seemed to be off,” said one plaintiff, who continues to experience physical and emotional aftereffects. Despite the trauma, many expressed gratitude that all aboard survived.
What Happens Next
As the lawsuits proceed in U.S. federal court, Delta and Endeavor Air maintain their defense against allegations of negligence. The final TSB report is expected to shed more light on the technical and human factors behind the crash. Meanwhile, the case is set to test the boundaries of airline liability and passenger rights in cross-border aviation incidents.
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