On February 17, 2025, a Delta connection flight operated by Endeavor Airlines crash landed as it made its descent into the Toronto Pearson International Airport. The plane’s landing gear broke during the landing, causing the plane to flip over. The crash landing ripped off one of the plane’s wings, left passengers hanging upside down in their seats, and caused a fiery explosion as 6,000 pounds of jet fuel leaked from the plane.
Prior to the crash the pilots sounded an alarm to warn others that the plane was making a fast descent into its landing. The plane turned to the right as it hit the ground, causing it to tilt 7.5 degrees to the right. Despite the crash being extremely dangerous all of the 80 passengers and crew exited the aircraft alive. Only two serious injuries out of the twenty-one passengers and crew were injured in total. The pilots had to exit through an emergency door on the top of the cockpit since the main doors were unable to be opened due to the crash.
The main cause of the broken landing gear and crash have not been determined. Because so many factors contribute to crashes such as this one, it could take up to 600 days for researchers to officially determine the true cause of the crash. Currently, the preliminary research stated that the CRJ-900’s right side landing gear had been fractured and retracted and the part of the right wing between the landing gear and fuselage was broken. Further investigation found that the flight control had no previous malfunctions.
After the crash, Delta began adding to the safety measures of their flights. Now a safety board will check the landing gear and wings of the plane in addition to overseeing the pilot training, flight attendant training, and the evacuation procedures. Delta continues to remain in contact with the Transportation Safety Board of Canada as the investigation of the cause of the crash remains open. Delta has also stated that they will be offering 30,000 dollars to all those who were on the plane during the crash.
References
Hagstrom, Anders. “Delta Plane’s Landing Gear Collapsed During Toronto Crash-Landing, Investigators Say.” Fox News Channel, FOX News Network, 20 March 2025, www.foxnews.com/us/delta-planes-landing-gear-collapsed-during-toronto-crash-landing-investigators-say.
Skores Alexandra. “Landing Gear Support Broke as Delta Regional Jet Landed and Flipped at Toronto Airport, Preliminary Report Says.” CNN US, Cable News Network, 21 March 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/03/20/us/toronto-plane-crash-delta-preliminary-report/index.html.
