After a snowfall, a Delta Airlines jet flipped upside down as it landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Monday.
According to David Soucie, a CNN safety commentator and former Federal Aviation Administration safety inspector, “everything that could go wrong went wrong, yet 80 people survived the accident.”
An aviation safety expert stated on Monday that the Delta Air Lines plane crash in Toronto was not “much worse” due to improvements in aircraft design and seat safety.
The expert explained that the major difference between the two incidents was improved safety measures and stronger, more secure seating.
Soucie also pointed out that in 1987, after the plane overturned, the wings stayed attached and caused the plane’s destruction. However, in Toronto, the wings were intentionally detached, which the analyst described as “a good thing.”
Snow and wind-proven problems for Toronto
Just before 3 p.m. local time, Delta flight 4819, which was taking off from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport, started its descent toward Toronto Pearson International Airport after the city had been dealing with strong winds and snow all day.
With almost 8 inches of snow covering the area, the airport had been coping with the aftermath of a snowstorm over the weekend. The severe gusts persisted despite the airport workers’ efforts to clear the runway throughout the night.
Air traffic authorities alerted the pilots to gusts of up to 38 mph as the aircraft approached its destination.
Disaster happened in a couple of seconds. A tremendous explosion erupted as the plane crashed into the runway after abruptly flipping over. The impact sent the aircraft plummeting, flinging passengers into their seats and trapping them in the chaos.
The sudden flip of the plane and the sight of flames shocked everyone on board, but fortunately, all passengers survived.
Witnesses are describing the events surrounding the Delta jet crash in Toronto.
Witnesses to Monday afternoon’s terrifying Delta flight accident at Toronto Pearson Airport are sharing their stories.
Air traffic controllers cleared a Bombardier CRJ900 to land, and as it approached the runway with 80 passengers and crew on board, strong winds rushed across the runway.
As firemen raced to extinguish the fire, the plane abruptly veered off course and collided with the runway, flipping over.
Thankfully, everyone on board the Delta flight from Minneapolis, including the crew, survived. What caused the jet to flip over and land belly-up is still unknown, though. A toddler who is said to be in good health was among the at least 18 injured.
