The investigation into how an airplane ended up on its freakin’ back is just getting started.
Driving the news: The wreckage of the Delta Air Lines Bombardier CRJ900 jet that crash-landed at Toronto’s Pearson Airport on Monday was entirely removed from the tarmac by late Wednesday night. The probe into how the fiery crash occurred is in its early days.
- Meanwhile, all 21 passengers injured in the crash have been released from hospital, and Delta has offered a US$30,000 apology to all passengers with “no strings attached.”
Why it happened: Exactly what went down is unclear as the Transportation Safety Board of Canada’s probe is still in its “field phase,” which will continue for several days. However, an aviation expert who spoke to the Toronto Star speculated an improper landing may have crushed the landing gear, causing the right wing to clip the runway and flip the plane.
Why it matters: The crash is the fourth major North American aviation incident this year. This could stoke increased fears of flying. Canadian airports in particular have received flak for runway safety since 2010, and flight safety oversight has fallen since 2005 per the UN.
Yes, but: Flying is still really safe. A recent MIT study found that the chances of dying in a plane crash are just one in 13.7 million. And despite recent coverage of commercial airline crashes, early data shows January may have been a record month for U.S. aviation safety.—QH