TORONTO- A preliminary report suggests that the Delta Air Lines (DL) flight that crashed at Pearson Airport (YYZ) was descending at an unusually high rate. The proximity warning system alerted the crew less than three seconds before touchdown, but the impact resulted in structural failure and fire.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is conducting a detailed investigation into the February 17 crash, which hospitalized 21 people. The full report will provide further analysis of the causes and contributing factors.
Photo: X userDelta Pearson Plane Crash Findings
The aircraft involved was a Bombardier CL-600-2D24 (Regional Jet Series 900), operated by Delta Air Lines (DL) subsidiary Endeavour Air.
It departed from Minneapolis (MSP) with 76 passengers and four crew members. The first officer, with 1,422 total flight hours, was piloting the plane, while the captain, with 3,570 flight hours, was monitoring.
The flight proceeded normally until the final approach to Runway 23 at Pearson Airport (YYZ). At 2 PM, wind gusts reached 35 knots, prompting an approach speed of 149 knots.
Approximately 2.6 seconds before touchdown, the enhanced ground proximity warning system issued a “sink rate” alert due to a high descent rate.
At the moment of touchdown, the right main landing gear fractured, causing the landing gear to retract and the wing root to break.
The wing detached, releasing jet fuel, which ignited upon impact. The aircraft then skidded off the runway into a snow-covered grass area.
Photo: SkyWest AirlinesImpact and Emergency Response
Following the Delta Pearson crash, passengers were disoriented, with some hanging upside down in their seats due to the force of impact.
As they unbuckled, some sustained further injuries from falling. Emergency responders arrived within five minutes, assisting with evacuation and securing the area.
Shortly after the evacuation, an explosion occurred near the left wing root. The cause is still under investigation.
The TSB is focusing on factors including the landing gear’s structural integrity, pilot training, and landing approach techniques.
Photo: By aeroprints.com, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32531564Ongoing Investigations
Several lawsuits have been filed against Delta Air Lines (DL) and Endeavour Air. A US law firm representing nine Canadian passengers claims they continue to suffer from severe physical and psychological injuries.
Legal filings allege that the flight crew failed to adhere to standard landing procedures and did not react appropriately to flight conditions.
Aviation lawyer Andres Pereira highlighted concerns about the flight crew’s experience. The captain, a simulator instructor, had logged only 3.5 hours of actual flight time in the past 30 days.
Pereira questioned the airline’s decision to schedule the first officer and captain together, citing potential gaps in training and experience.
Delta Air Lines (DL) and Endeavour Air declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, stating they will await the final report before making official statements.
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Delta Air Lines CRJ Plane Crash at Toronto Pearson Airport, Canada
The post Delta Pearson Plane Crash Linked to High Descent, Gear Failure: TSB appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
