NTSB aiding its Canadian colleagues
In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, on February 17, the NTSB, which is the investigative authority for various transportation safety events in the United States, said that it would be leading a team of US investigators to assist the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) in its investigation of the CRJ900 incident at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
“Per international protocols under the International Civil Aviation Organization’s [ICAO] Annex 13, any information about the investigation will be released by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.”
On the same day, the TSB shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that it has deployed a team to investigate an aircraft accident at Toronto-Pearson, adding that it would collect information and assess the occurrence.
Belly-up
The Endeavor Air CRJ900, which was operating Delta Connection ( Delta Air Lines ) flight DL4819 between Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Toronto-Pearson, crashed on approach at 14:13 local time (UTC -5) on February 17.
Videos shared on social media showed the CRJ900 landing at Toronto-Pearson. However, the aircraft landed hard on the runway, swayed right, and flipped.
Still, the Canadian investigators would determine the chain of events that resulted in the regional jet ending up on its roof at the airport. According to ICAO’s Annex 13, they should publish the preliminary report within 30 days after the event.
Other videos, shared by passengers who evacuated the belly-up aircraft, showed travelers and flight crew evacuating the CRJ900, with the flight attendants demonstrating their utmost professionalism and ensuring passengers could leave the jet before evacuating themselves.
In an initial update following the incident, Delta Air Lines confirmed that an Endeavor Air CRJ900 had been involved in a single-aircraft accident at Toronto-Pearson, adding that 76 passengers and four crew members were onboard the regional jet.
Delta Air Lines members aiding in Toronto
In its last update on February 17, Delta Air Lines detailed that it has deployed its specially trained Delta Care Team to Toronto, which would provide support for customers and their families.
Endeavor Air’s executives, including Jim Graham, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the regional subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, would also be traveling to the Canadian city.
In a statement, Ed Bastian, the CEO of Delta Air Lines, said that the hearts of the airline’s employees are with those affected by the incident in Toronto.
Bastian expressed gratitude to Delta Air Lines and Endeavor Air’s employees and the first responders on site.
“We are working to confirm the details and will share the most current information [on Delta Air Lines’ website] as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, please take care and stay safe.”
Flightradar24 data showed that since the incident, dozens of arrivals had been canceled at Toronto-Pearson. The airport confirmed that departures and arrivals have resumed since 17:00 local time.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, that on February 17, the Ontario Storm Prediction Center had almost 50 centimeters (19.6 inches) of snow on the ground at its premises.
