Landing gear support broke as Delta regional jet landed and flipped at Toronto airport, preliminary report says - CNN

Byline: Morgan Smith

A preliminary report from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board has shed new light on the incident involving a Delta Air Lines regional jet at Toronto Pearson International in February, that left passengers suspended upside down in the cabin. The report states that a crucial component of the aircraft's landing gear support broke as the plane was attempting to land, causing it to flip over and creating a scene described by witnesses as passengers "hanging like bats". This new information prompts further investigation into the safety measures and structural integrity of the aircraft, as airlines and passengers worldwide await the final report.

On a seemingly ordinary day in February, a Delta Air Lines regional jet faced a harrowing reality as it prepared to land at Toronto Pearson International Airport. As the plane descended, a critical landing gear support malfunctioned, causing the aircraft to flip upside down upon landing. The passengers aboard found themselves in a precarious situation, trapped upside down and “hanging like bats”, in a terrifying twist of events, according to a preliminary report from Canada’s Transportation Safety Board (TSB).

The flight was a routine one, originating from Atlanta and scheduled to land in Toronto. However, the journey took a turn for the worse when the landing gear support, a critical component responsible for the stability and control of an aircraft during landing, broke. The failure of this crucial structural element led to the dramatic flipping of the plane upon touchdown.

Reports from the TSB indicate that the malfunction was not detected prior to landing, raising questions about the effectiveness of the pre-flight checks and maintenance procedures. With the increasing dependence on air travel, this incident underlines the importance of stringent safety checks and regular maintenance of aircrafts. The investigations are ongoing, with the TSB expected to release a detailed report in the coming weeks.

The airline, Delta Air Lines, has been cooperating with the authorities in the investigation. The incident has raised concerns about the safety standards in place, and has put a spotlight on the necessity for stringent checks and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of the passengers.

On the day of the incident, the weather was clear and visibility was optimal. The Delta regional jet was operating under normal conditions, with no known mechanical issues reported before the flight. As the aircraft began its descent towards Toronto Pearson International, the crew prepared for what seemed like a routine landing.

However, as soon as the aircraft's wheels touched the runway, the crew felt an unusual jolt. The landing gear support, a critical component that absorbs the shock of landing and supports the aircraft’s weight, had broken. This failure immediately destabilized the aircraft, causing it to veer off the runway.

In a matter of seconds, the aircraft flipped, coming to rest upside down on the grass adjacent to the runway. The passengers, still strapped in their seats, found themselves suspended in an inverted position, likened to hanging bats. The cabin was plunged into darkness as power was lost, and the only sounds were the muffled cries and rustling of passengers trying to comprehend their situation.

The crew, despite being in a state of shock themselves, quickly initiated emergency procedures to evacuate the passengers. As emergency crews arrived at the scene, passengers were carefully extricated from the overturned aircraft and rushed to nearby hospitals for immediate medical attention.

The preliminary report from Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) reveals that the aircraft, a CRJ-200, was performing a routine landing when the right main landing gear's support structure failed. This failure led to the plane veering off the runway and flipping upside down, trapping passengers inside.

Aviation safety expert, Dr. Mitchell Sorrenson, shed light on the situation. "This is an extremely rare event," he said. "The support structure of the landing gear is designed to withstand enormous stresses. Failure suggests a major, and unusual, event occurred."

Dr. Sorrenson further explained that landing gear systems undergo rigorous testing and maintenance checks to ensure their reliability and safety. "These systems are checked before every flight, and comprehensive inspections are conducted at regular intervals," he said. "The fact that a structural component of the landing gear failed raises serious questions about what led to this incident."

Following the incident, Delta Air Lines confirmed that all 38 passengers and 3 crew members were safely evacuated from the aircraft, with only minor injuries reported. The airline is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.

In light of the recent incident involving a Delta Air Lines regional jet at Toronto Pearson International, it is clear that the aviation industry must remain vigilant when it comes to ensuring the safety of its aircrafts. Based on the preliminary report from Canada's Transportation Safety Board, it appears that a critical landing gear support broke as the plane was landing, leading to the jet flipping upside down and leaving passengers in a precarious position.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of stringent safety checks and the maintenance of all airplane systems, including landing gears. It also stresses the paramount importance of emergency preparedness and response in such situations. The fact that there were no reports of serious injuries is a testament to the effectiveness of the rescue operation.

Moving forward, all parties involved will undoubtedly take this incident as a lesson to implement stricter safety measures and checks. As investigations continue to unfold, it is hoped that future potential accidents of a similar nature can be avoided.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/20/us/toronto-plane-crash-delta-preliminary-report/index.html