A preliminary report by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada reveals that the Delta Air Lines flight that crashed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on February 17 was descending at a high rate of speed before its disastrous landing.
The flight from Minneapolis, operated by Endeavor Air, had 80 people aboard (76 passengers and 4 crew members). Twenty-one people sustained injuries, with two reported as serious. The report released Thursday did not identify a cause for the crash.
According to the report’s second-by-second breakdown, 3.6 seconds before touchdown, the plane’s descent rate increased significantly. A second later, the enhanced ground proximity warning system triggered a “sink rate” alert. Just 1.6 seconds before touchdown, the aircraft was “slightly below the glide slope” – the system guiding controlled descent to the runway.
When the right main landing gear contacted the runway, it fractured and folded, causing the wing root to fracture between the fuselage and landing gear. The wing detached, releasing jet fuel that ignited. The aircraft then rolled to the right until completely inverted, sliding down the runway upside down with passengers suspended in their seats.
During this roll, “a large portion of the tail, including most of the vertical stabilizer and the entire horizontal stabilizer, became detached,” the report noted.
After evacuation, aircraft rescue firefighters entered the fuselage. Shortly afterward, “an explosion occurred outside the aircraft in the area of the left wing root,” which remains under investigation.
Delta stated: “For everyone at Endeavor Air and Delta, nothing is more important than the safety of our customers and our people. That’s why we remain fully engaged as participants in the investigation led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Out of respect for the integrity of this work that will continue through their final report, Endeavor Air and Delta will refrain from comment.”
About the author
Federal Judge Declares Texas Prison Heat Conditions Unconstitutional, No Immediate AC Mandate
A federal judge has ruled that extreme heat in Texas prisons is unconstitutionally harsh, yet stopped short of mandating immediate air conditioning installation, which could potentially cost billions of dollars. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman acknowledged the "plainly unconstitutional treatment" of incarcerated individuals, recognizing the dangerous heat conditions that routinely exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, he declined to order immediate cooling system installations, citing logistical and financial challenges. The lawsuit, initially filed by Bernie Tiede—a former mortician whose murder case inspired the movie "Bernie"—argues that the extreme heat constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. Several prisoners' rights groups subsequently joined the legal action, expanding its scope. Currently, Texas houses over 130,000 prisoners, with only about one-third of approximately 100 prison units fully air-conditioned. The remaining facilities have partial or no electrical cooling systems. Lead attorney Jeff Edwards described the ruling as […]
Rusagro Shares Plummet After Founder’s Detention, Losing Nearly One-Third of Market Value
Russian agricultural giant Rusagro experienced a dramatic stock market downturn following the detention of its billionaire founder, Vadim Moshkovich, with shares plummeting more than 32% on the Moscow stock exchange. The company's stock price dramatically dropped from 230.50 roubles on Wednesday to an intra-day low of 156.32 roubles on Thursday, reflecting significant investor uncertainty in the wake of the founder's legal troubles. News of Moshkovich's police charges emerged on Wednesday, immediately triggering a substantial market reaction. As a leading producer of sugar, meat, oil, and fat products in Russia, Rusagro's rapid value decline highlights the potential economic impact of high-profile legal actions against corporate leadership.
Trump Proposes Tariff Reduction to Facilitate TikTok Sale to Non-Chinese Buyers
President Donald Trump has indicated willingness to reduce tariffs on China as part of negotiations to sell TikTok's U.S. operations, with an April 5 deadline looming for the social media platform to find a non-Chinese buyer or face a potential ban. The potential sale stems from national security concerns about TikTok's current ownership by ByteDance, a Chinese technology company. Washington fears the app could be used for data collection and influence operations against the United States, leading to legislation requiring ByteDance to divest its U.S. operations. Trump suggested he might extend the April deadline if an agreement is not reached and proposed using tariff reduction as a potential bargaining chip. In recent months, he has added 20% in additional levies to imports from China, demonstrating his approach to trade negotiations. China's commerce ministry responded diplomatically, expressing willingness to engage with […]
Poland Suspends Asylum Applications at Belarus Border, Sparking International Concern
Poland has implemented a controversial new law temporarily suspending the right of migrants to apply for asylum when entering the country through its Belarus border. Prime Minister Donald Tusk and President Andrzej Duda assert the measure is necessary for national security, though human rights organizations have strongly criticized the decision. The legislation allows Polish authorities to suspend asylum applications for up to 60 days at a time. The government maintains that the suspension will only apply to groups perceived as potential security threats, with specific exemptions for vulnerable populations including unaccompanied minors, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals at risk of serious harm. Since 2021, Poland, along with Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland, has experienced a significant increase in illegal border crossings from Belarus and Russia. In response, Poland has deployed thousands of troops and border guards and constructed a 5.5-meter-high […]
Devastating Wildfires Ravage South Korea: 26 Dead, Thousands Evacuated
South Korea is battling its most severe wildfire crisis in recent history, with catastrophic blazes sweeping through the southeastern regions since last Friday. The ongoing emergency has resulted in 26 fatalities, forced over 37,000 people to evacuate, and destroyed more than 300 structures across multiple provinces. The wildfires have consumed approximately 88,980 acres of land, making it the worst recorded wildfire incident in the country's history. Authorities have deployed over 9,000 personnel and approximately 120 helicopters to combat the rapidly spreading flames, but strong winds continue to complicate firefighting efforts. Tragic losses include a helicopter pilot who crashed during firefighting operations and four firefighters trapped by fast-moving flames. Most civilian casualties are elderly individuals in their 60s and 70s. Investigators suspect human error as a potential cause of several fires, including incidents sparked by tomb maintenance and welding activities. The […]
Trump Announces 25% Tariffs on Imported Vehicles and Auto Parts
President Donald Trump has announced a new 25% tariff on all vehicles and auto parts imported into the United States, a move that could significantly impact the automotive industry and consumer prices. The tariffs are expected to have wide-ranging consequences for automakers and consumers. Nearly half of all cars sold in the U.S. last year were imported, according to research firm GlobalData. The announcement immediately affected stock markets, with shares of major automotive companies experiencing notable declines. General Motors saw an 8% drop in after-market trading, while Ford and Stellantis experienced approximately 4.5% falls. International manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai also saw their shares drop between 3% and 4%. The economic impact could be substantial. Cox Automotive predicts the tariffs could add $3,000 to the cost of a U.S.-made vehicle and $6,000 to vehicles manufactured in Canada or Mexico. […]
Related
Major Power Outage Forces Heathrow Airport Closure, Causing Global Flight Disruptions
Britain's Heathrow Airport shut down Friday after a major fire at a nearby electrical substation cut power to the facility, disrupting flight schedules worldwide. Approximately 70 firefighters battled the blaze in west London, which also disabled the airport's backup power system. Large orange flames and black smoke were visible before firefighters contained the fire. By morning, roads around Britain's largest airport were mostly empty except for some departing passengers with luggage. Fire investigators will examine the cause, though Energy Minister Ed Miliband indicated it didn't appear to be foul play. Heathrow announced the airport would remain closed until midnight due to the significant power outage, affecting 1,351 scheduled flights and up to 291,000 passengers. "Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport and should contact their airline for further information," the airport stated. "We apologize for the inconvenience." The […]
Teen With Shotgun Subdued by Passengers on Australian Plane
Passengers and crew members overpowered a 17-year-old who boarded a plane carrying a shotgun and ammunition at Avalon Airport near Melbourne, Australia. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon as the aircraft, bound for Sydney with approximately 160 people onboard, was preparing for takeoff. Police believe the teenager breached a security fence to access the airport tarmac before climbing the front steps to the plane. Footage released by Australian news outlet 7News showed a passenger restraining the suspect while a ground crew member and pilot removed a utility belt containing tools the teenager was carrying. The pilot could also be seen kicking the shotgun away from the teen, who was wearing a fluorescent jacket. "How is this possible?" someone can be heard saying in the video. Victoria Police confirmed that the 17-year-old, from the nearby Ballarat area, was in custody. Superintendent Michael […]
Miracle on the Runway: Every Passenger Survives Toronto Plane Flip
Delta Air Lines has extended compensation offers of $30,000 to each passenger who survived when their aircraft crash-landed at Toronto airport on Monday. The Minneapolis-originating flight experienced a dramatic landing incident where the aircraft skidded down the runway while on fire, ultimately overturning. All 80 occupants, including 76 passengers and 4 crew members, survived the incident, with most sustaining minor injuries. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, supported by US officials, is investigating the incident's cause. Investigators have retrieved both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder, and workers removed the aircraft from the runway Wednesday evening. A Delta representative confirmed the compensation represents an advance payment without conditions to help passengers address immediate financial needs. However, Toronto-based law firm Rochon Genova indicates Delta plans to subtract these payments from future settlements. Legal representative Vincent Genova noted his clients […]
Passengers Escape Burning Aircraft After Emergency Landing
Max Air flight VM1605 experienced a tire burst upon landing at Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on Tuesday night at 22:57 local time. The aircraft, with registration number 5N-MBD, was carrying 53 passengers and six crew members when the incident occurred. The flight, which had departed from Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, reportedly lost its nose landing gear tire during touchdown. According to a passenger journalist, the tire burst resulted in flames and smoke filling the cabin, necessitating an emergency evacuation. Emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene, with firefighters deploying water to control the flames. All passengers and crew members were safely evacuated through emergency exits, with no injuries reported. Max Air's Station manager, Malam Bello Ramadan, issued an apology for the inconvenience while confirming passenger safety. He detailed that the airline followed standard safety protocols, including […]
Hotel Fire Claims 10 Lives at Turkish Ski Resort
A devastating fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Bolu, Turkey, has resulted in 10 fatalities and 32 injuries, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed. Reports indicate that two victims died after jumping from windows to escape the blaze. The fire began at 3:27 AM local time in the hotel's fourth-floor restaurant area before spreading through the 12-story building. At the time, 234 guests stayed at the property during a busy school holiday. Emergency response faced significant challenges, with fire engines taking over an hour to reach the scene due to the hotel's remote location in Kartalkaya and freezing weather conditions, according to Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydin. Witnesses observed guests using bed linens to attempt escape from windows. A ski instructor, Necmi Kepcetutan, told NTV that his familiarity with the building helped him escape, while others struggled with the intense smoke. […]
Red Sea Dive Disaster Survivors Reveal Disturbing Cover-Up Attempts
Survivors of last November's Red Sea dive-boat tragedy, which claimed 11 lives, report concerning irregularities in the investigation process. The incident involved the sinking of the Sea Story vessel, which carried 46 passengers, leaving four confirmed dead and seven still missing, including two British citizens. Multiple survivors report being pressured to sign Arabic documents they couldn't understand, with translations provided by an undisclosed employee of the boat company, Dive Pro Liveaboard. The survivors were reportedly required to give statements shortly after the rescue, some while still in hospital beds, to individuals identified as judges. The investigation process raised several red flags. Survivors were allegedly not permitted to retain copies of their statements, and many reports that crucial safety concerns they voiced were omitted from the final documents. Some were also given liability waivers stating they wouldn't accuse anyone of "criminal […]
Be the first to leave a comment