In brief
Investigation findings indicate that the plane was descending at an excessive rate prior to landing, prompting new safety concerns.
The preliminary report from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada has uncovered critical details regarding the recent crash of a Delta Air Lines passenger jet in Toronto. The aircraft, which was carrying 80 individuals including 76 passengers and four crew members, experienced a catastrophic landing after descending at nearly double the rate considered safe. The report maintains that the jet was descending at approximately 1,100 feet per minute just before it touched down, significantly surpassing the 600 feet per minute threshold established by Endeavor Air, the Delta subsidiary operating the flight.Moments prior to impact, a warning regarding the rapid descent was triggered. This excessive descent led to the breakage of a crucial component of the right main landing gear upon landing, resulting in the plane rolling over to the right while skidding down the runway. The right wing subsequently detached, the aircraft ignited, and it came to a halt inverted.Jeff Guzzetti, a veteran U.S. accident investigator, noted that the descent rate could have exceeded the design stress limits of the landing gear, prioritizing a reevaluation of safety measures. Amazingly, all passengers and crew managed to exit the aircraft without injuries before an explosion occurred near the left wing after evacuation was completed.
