Thankfully, there were no fatalities when a Delta Connection Bombardier CL-600-2D24 Regional Jet CRJ-900LR, flight EDV4819 operated by Endeavor Air, crashed in Toronto and came to rest inverted. The crash, which occurred on Monday, February 17, resulted not only in some serious injuries, but also led to passengers and flight crew to be exposed to jet fuel due to one of the wings separating from the fuselage. While the cause of the crash is under investigation by the NTSB, observers point to harsh weather conditions that may have created dangerous conditions and a challenging landing for the crew.

The Facts of the Crash

The accident involved a commercial jetliner, which was travelling from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Toronto on Monday, February 17. However, for reasons not currently known on touchdown, the right main landing gear collapsed, causing a fire and the right wing to contact the ground.  The wing dragged along the runway surface for about 3 seconds before the aircraft flipped and became inverted. A post-crash fire ensued which was mostly contained by airport emergency services.

No Fatalities, But Some Serious Injuries

Thankfully, no one was fatally injured in the crash, despite the horrific nature of the accident. However, 21 people were transported to the hospital for examination and treatment, with 20 of them having been released. These injuries ranged from minor bruises and cuts to illnesses related to jet fuel exposure, as well as other more serious injuries, though none were considered life-threatening.

Potential Causes of the Accident

For right now, the exact cause of the accident is under investigation, and public officials have not commented on what might have caused the crash. However, a few factors have been brought up as potential contributors to the accident, most notably the harsh weather that Toronto had been experiencing, with high winds and heavy snow. It is also possible that maintenance issues could have led to the collapsed main landing gear, the wing becoming separated from the main cabin, or pilot error may have contributed to the cause of the accident.

Addressing Safety Challenges

This crash is just one of several recent high-profile plane accidents that have highlighted ongoing issues with maintaining safe air travel. In addition to issues like maintenance, pilot error and weather that may have been responsible for this accident, there have been serious problems with staffing and funding for the FAA, NTSB and other agencies responsible for preventing aviation accidents. If these issues are not addressed, it is probable that these kinds of accidents may become more commonplace, leading to more injuries and fatalities.