Delta Air Lines to Offer $30,000 to Passengers Impacted by Toronto Airport Incident
Delta Air Lines will provide $30,000 to passengers on board the flight that crash-landed at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Monday, the airline said Wednesday.
"This gesture is not intended to be compensation or an admission of liability on the part of Delta or any other party," a Delta spokesperson said. "It is a gesture of goodwill aimed at assisting passengers during this difficult time."
The flight, which had departed from Minneapolis, Minnesota, struck the tarmac at Pearson Airport during an attempted landing before catching fire and flipping over. Despite the intense flames and thick black smoke that filled the aircraft upon impact, none of the 76 passengers or four crew members were fatally injured.
In total, 21 people were injured in the incident, but only one remained hospitalized as of Wednesday morning, according to Delta Air Lines.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is leading the investigation into the accident, with assistance from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a team from Delta, Deborah Flint, CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, said at a press conference on Tuesday.
Images taken by passengers after the crash show the charred remains of the Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, with at least one wing appearing to be ripped off and the tail partially destroyed.
The Toronto incident adds to a series of recent aviation accidents in North America. In late January, an Army helicopter collided with a commercial airliner in Washington, D.C., killing 67 people. And seven people died a few days later when a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia.
Investigation Underway
The TSB has deployed a team of investigators to the crash site to gather evidence and conduct interviews with witnesses and survivors. The agency said it is too early to determine the cause of the accident but that it will be examining all aspects of the flight, including the aircraft’s maintenance and operational history, as well as the weather conditions at the time of the incident.
Delta Air Lines has sent a team of its own investigators to assist in the TSB’s probe. The airline said it is also working closely with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA.
Passengers Relieved and Traumatized
Passengers on the flight expressed a range of emotions after the harrowing incident, from relief at surviving to shock and trauma.
"I just feel very fortunate that I’m alive," said passenger Chris DeFreitas. "It was absolutely terrifying."
Another passenger, identified only as Jenn, said she had flashbacks and nightmares since the crash.
"I’m still trying to process what happened," she said. "I’m just so thankful that everyone made it out alive."
Delta’s Gesture of Goodwill
Delta Air Lines’ offer of $30,000 to each passenger is a significant gesture of financial support, which could help cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs associated with the accident.
The airline’s spokesperson emphasized that the payment is not an admission of liability and does not affect any potential legal claims that passengers may have. However, it is expected to provide some immediate financial relief to those impacted by the incident.
Safety Concerns Raised
The recent spate of aviation accidents in North America has raised concerns about the safety of air travel. The NTSB has launched a review of its oversight of commercial aviation, and the FAA has announced increased inspections of airports and aircraft.
Delta Air Lines has implemented a number of safety measures in recent years, including enhanced pilot training and the installation of new safety systems on its aircraft. The airline said it is committed to providing a safe and reliable travel experience for its passengers.
